Detect Extra Window Memory Injection in Google Chronicle
Adversaries may inject malicious code into process via Extra Window Memory (EWM) in order to evade process-based defenses as well as possibly elevate privileges. EWM injection is a method of executing arbitrary code in the address space of a separate live process. Before creating a window, graphical Windows-based processes must prescribe to or register a windows class, which stipulate appearance and behavior via windows procedures. Registration of new windows classes can include a request for up to 40 bytes of EWM. Although small, the EWM is large enough to store a 32-bit pointer and is often used to point to a windows procedure. Malware may utilize this memory location in part of an attack chain that includes writing code to shared sections of the process's memory, placing a pointer to the code in EWM, then invoking execution by returning execution control to the address in the process's EWM.
MITRE ATT&CK
- Technique
- T1055 Process Injection
- Sub-technique
- T1055.011 Extra Window Memory Injection
- Canonical reference
- https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1055/011/
YARA-L Detection Query
rule t1055_011_ewm_injection_explorer_access {
meta:
author = "df00tech"
description = "Detects Extra Window Memory (EWM) injection via suspicious process access to explorer.exe with write or full access rights from non-system processes"
mitre_attack_tactic = "Defense Evasion, Privilege Escalation"
mitre_attack_technique = "T1055.011"
severity = "HIGH"
confidence = "HIGH"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1055/011/"
events:
$e.metadata.event_type = "PROCESS_OPEN"
$e.target.process.file.full_path = /.*\\explorer\.exe$/i
not $e.principal.process.file.full_path = /.*\\(explorer|csrss|dwm|winlogon|ShellExperienceHost|SearchUI|taskhostw|sihost)\.exe$/i
$e.additional.fields["GrantedAccess"] in nocase ("0x1FFFFF", "0x001F0FFF", "0x1F3FFF", "0x0020", "0x1F1FFF")
condition:
$e
}Chronicle YARA-L 2.0 rule detecting EWM injection by correlating PROCESS_OPEN UDM events where a non-system process opens explorer.exe with access masks consistent with memory write or full process control, matching the Sysmon EventID 10 pattern used in host-based detections.
Data Sources
Required Tables
False Positives & Tuning
- Chronicle-forwarded EDR telemetry from endpoint sensors that themselves open explorer.exe for injection-based monitoring (e.g., hooking API calls within explorer for telemetry)
- Windows shell extension registration events triggered by third-party applications that use COM in-process servers hosted within explorer.exe
- Screen capture, accessibility, or assistive technology software that opens explorer.exe with elevated access for UI Automation framework interaction
Other platforms for T1055.011
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 1Enumerate Shell_TrayWnd Window Handle
Expected signal: Sysmon Event ID 1: PowerShell execution with FindWindowW in command line. API call to FindWindowW with class name Shell_TrayWnd logged by ETW if user32.dll API tracing is enabled.
- Test 2GetWindowLong Extra Memory Read
Expected signal: Sysmon Event ID 1: PowerShell execution with GetWindowLongPtrW. ETW: user32.dll API calls for FindWindowW and GetWindowLongPtrW.
- Test 3Cross-Process Memory Write to Explorer
Expected signal: Sysmon Event ID 1: PowerShell execution. If actual OpenProcess with write rights is called: Sysmon Event ID 10 (ProcessAccess) from PowerShell to explorer.exe with PROCESS_VM_WRITE.
References (5)
- https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1055/011/
- https://www.malwaretech.com/2013/08/powerloader-injection-something-truly.html
- https://www.welivesecurity.com/2013/03/19/gapz-and-redyms-droppers-based-on-power-loader-code/
- https://www.endgame.com/blog/technical-blog/ten-process-injection-techniques-technical-survey-common-and-trending-process
- https://msdn.microsoft.com/library/windows/desktop/ms633591.aspx
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