Detect Microsoft DirectX NULL Byte Overwrite Vulnerability (CVE-2009-1537) in Microsoft Sentinel
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
KQL Detection Query
union DeviceProcessEvents, DeviceFileEvents
| where TimeGenerated > ago(7d)
| where (
(ActionType == "ProcessCreated" and InitiatingProcessFileName =~ "quartz.dll") or
(FileName =~ "quartz.dll" and ActionType in ("FileModified", "FileCreated")) or
(InitiatingProcessCommandLine has_any (".mov", ".qt", ".mqv") and ProcessCommandLine has_any ("cmd.exe", "powershell.exe", "wscript.exe", "cscript.exe"))
)
| extend RiskIndicator = case(
InitiatingProcessCommandLine has_any (".mov", ".qt", ".mqv"), "QuickTime media file triggered shell process",
FileName =~ "quartz.dll" and ActionType == "FileModified", "DirectX quartz.dll modified",
"DirectX related activity"
)
| project TimeGenerated, DeviceName, AccountName, InitiatingProcessFileName, InitiatingProcessCommandLine, FileName, ProcessCommandLine, RiskIndicator
| sort by TimeGenerated descDetects process and file activity consistent with exploitation of CVE-2009-1537 via malicious QuickTime media files triggering DirectX quartz.dll. Looks for shell processes spawned from media file contexts and unexpected quartz.dll modifications.
Data Sources
Required Tables
False Positives & Tuning
- Legitimate QuickTime or media player software updating quartz.dll during patching
- Video editing applications that legitimately invoke shell processes during export
- Software installation routines that modify DirectX components
- Antivirus or EDR tools scanning media files and spawning child processes
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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