Detect Microsoft DirectX NULL Byte Overwrite Vulnerability (CVE-2009-1537) in Google Chronicle
CVE-2009-1537 is a NULL byte overwrite vulnerability in Microsoft DirectX (quartz.dll) that can be exploited via a maliciously crafted QuickTime media file. Successful exploitation allows remote code execution in the context of the logged-on user. This vulnerability is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, indicating active exploitation in the wild. Addressed in MS09-028.
MITRE ATT&CK
- Tactic
- Initial Access Execution
YARA-L Detection Query
rule cve_2009_1537_directx_null_overwrite {
meta:
author = "df00tech"
description = "Detects potential exploitation of CVE-2009-1537 Microsoft DirectX NULL byte overwrite via QuickTime media files"
severity = "CRITICAL"
priority = "HIGH"
reference = "https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2009/ms09-028"
events:
(
$e.metadata.event_type = "PROCESS_LAUNCH"
and re.regex($e.principal.process.file.full_path, `(?i)(wmplayer|mplayer2|iexplore|moviemk)\.exe`)
and re.regex($e.target.process.file.full_path, `(?i)(cmd|powershell|wscript|cscript|mshta)\.exe`)
)
or
(
$e.metadata.event_type = "FILE_MODIFICATION"
and re.regex($e.target.file.full_path, `(?i)quartz\.dll`)
)
or
(
$e.metadata.event_type = "PROCESS_LAUNCH"
and re.regex($e.target.process.command_line, `(?i)\.(mov|qt|mqv)`)
and re.regex($e.target.process.file.full_path, `(?i)(cmd|powershell)\.exe`)
)
condition:
$e
}Chronicle YARA-L rule detecting CVE-2009-1537 exploitation patterns including shell process spawning from media players, quartz.dll file modification events, and command lines with QuickTime file extensions.
Data Sources
Required Tables
False Positives & Tuning
- Legitimate media player updates installing new DirectX components
- Enterprise software packaging tools that invoke shell processes during media codec installation
- IT asset management tools scanning and cataloguing media files
- Antivirus real-time scanning of QuickTime format files
Other platforms for CVE-2009-1537
Testing Methodology
Validate this detection against 3 adversary techniques from Atomic Red Team. Each test below lists the behaviour to exercise and the telemetry you should expect to see. Executable commands and cleanup steps are available with Pro.
- Test 1Simulate QuickTime File Opening via Windows Media Player
Expected signal: Sysmon Event ID 1 showing wmplayer.exe process creation with .mov file argument; DeviceProcessEvents in Defender for Endpoint capturing InitiatingProcessFileName=wmplayer.exe
- Test 2Simulate Shell Process Spawn from Media Player Context
Expected signal: Sysmon Event ID 1 with ParentImage containing wmplayer.exe and Image=cmd.exe; command line output file created in C:\AtomicTests\
- Test 3Simulate quartz.dll File Modification Event
Expected signal: Sysmon Event ID 11 (FileCreate) with TargetFilename matching quartz.dll pattern; DeviceFileEvents showing FileName=quartz.dll with ActionType=FileCreated
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