Detect Microsoft DirectX NULL Byte Overwrite Vulnerability (CVE-2009-1537) in IBM QRadar
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
QRadar Detection Query
SELECT DATEFORMAT(starttime, 'YYYY-MM-dd HH:mm:ss') AS event_time,
sourceip, destinationip, username,
"processname" AS process_name,
"parentprocessname" AS parent_process,
QIDNAME(qid) AS event_name,
"filename" AS file_name
FROM events
WHERE LOGSOURCETYPENAME(devicetype) IN ('Microsoft Windows Security Event Log', 'Sysmon')
AND (
(LOWER("filename") LIKE '%quartz.dll%' AND categoryname IN ('File Created', 'File Modified', 'Object Access'))
OR (
LOWER("parentprocessname") LIKE '%wmplayer%'
AND LOWER("processname") IN ('%cmd.exe%', '%powershell.exe%', '%wscript.exe%', '%cscript.exe%')
)
OR (LOWER("commandline") LIKE '%.mov%' OR LOWER("commandline") LIKE '%.qt%' OR LOWER("commandline") LIKE '%.mqv%')
)
AND starttime > NOW() - 7 DAYS
ORDER BY starttime DESC
LAST 10000QRadar AQL query detecting CVE-2009-1537 exploitation indicators including quartz.dll file events, shell processes spawned from media players, and command lines referencing QuickTime media file extensions.
Data Sources
Required Tables
False Positives & Tuning
- Windows Update replacing quartz.dll as part of DirectX cumulative updates
- Third-party codec installers modifying DirectX components
- Legitimate media workflows using QuickTime format files
- IT automation scripts referencing media file paths
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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