Detect ASUS Live Update Embedded Malicious Code (CVE-2025-59374) in Sumo Logic CSE
Detects indicators of compromise related to CVE-2025-59374, a supply chain attack where ASUS Live Update software contained embedded malicious code (CWE-506). This mirrors the ShadowHammer operation pattern where threat actors compromised the ASUS software update infrastructure to deliver backdoored updates to endpoints. Detection focuses on suspicious child processes spawned by ASUS Live Update, anomalous network connections, and staging activity consistent with backdoor execution.
MITRE ATT&CK
Sumo Detection Query
_sourceCategory=windows/sysmon OR _sourceCategory=endpoint/process
| json field=_raw "EventID" as event_id nodrop
| json field=_raw "ParentImage" as parent_image nodrop
| json field=_raw "Image" as child_image nodrop
| json field=_raw "CommandLine" as command_line nodrop
| json field=_raw "User" as user nodrop
| where matches(parent_image, "(?i).*(LiveUpdate|LivaUpdate|AsusLiveUpdate).*")
| where matches(child_image, "(?i).*(cmd\.exe|powershell\.exe|wscript\.exe|cscript\.exe|mshta\.exe|rundll32\.exe|regsvr32\.exe|certutil\.exe|bitsadmin\.exe|wmic\.exe|schtasks\.exe|sc\.exe)")
| count by parent_image, child_image, command_line, user, _sourceHost
| sort by _count descSumo Logic query detecting ASUS Live Update spawning suspicious LOLBIN child processes consistent with CVE-2025-59374 embedded malicious code behavior.
Data Sources
Required Tables
False Positives & Tuning
- Standard ASUS update installer actions that legitimately use system utilities
- Help desk remote management tools launched in context of ASUS update sessions
- Antivirus processes spawned in response to ASUS binary execution
Other platforms for CVE-2025-59374
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 ASUS Live Update Spawning CMD Child Process
Expected signal: Sysmon Event ID 1 showing LiveUpdate.exe as parent of cmd.exe; DeviceProcessEvents in MDE showing the parent-child relationship with command-line arguments
- Test 2Simulate ASUS Live Update Network Beacon
Expected signal: Sysmon Event ID 3 or DeviceNetworkEvents showing LiveUpdate.exe initiating outbound HTTP connection to external IP; DNS query logs for associated domain lookups
- Test 3Simulate ASUS Live Update Dropping Payload to Temp
Expected signal: Sysmon Event ID 11 (FileCreate) showing executable written to TEMP directory; DeviceFileEvents in MDE capturing the file drop with SHA256 hash
Unlock Pro Content
Get the full detection package for CVE-2025-59374 including response playbook, investigation guide, and atomic red team tests.