Coverage › CVE-2009-4324
CVE-2009-4324 Mapped Sigma
Adobe Acrobat and Reader Use-After-Free Vulnerability
- Vendor / product
- Adobe — Acrobat and Reader
- Description (CISA)
- Use-after-free vulnerability in Adobe Acrobat and Reader allows remote attackers to execute code via a crafted PDF file.
- Added to KEV
- 2022-06-08
- Due date
- 2022-06-22
- Required action
- Apply updates per vendor instructions.
- Known ransomware use
- Unknown
- Forensic triage (CISA)
- No
- CWE
- CWE-399
- CISA notes
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2009-4324
- Elsewhere
- cve.org · NVD · CISA KEV · JSON
ATT&CK techniques · CTID Mappings Explorer, ATT&CK 16.1, KEV snapshot 2025-07-28
2 mapping objects across 2 techniques. exploitation technique states how the vulnerability is exploited; primary and secondary impact state what exploitation achieves. They are different claims and are labelled as such.
| Technique | Mapping type | CTID comment | Status in v20.0 |
|---|---|---|---|
| T1204.002 Malicious File | exploitation technique | This vulnerability is exploited by having the user open a maliciously-crafted pdf file. In the wild, this has been observed to result in a malicious actor installing a custom executable on the victim's machine, and establishing communications. ref 1 |
live |
| T1071.001 Web Protocols | primary impact | This vulnerability is exploited by having the user open a maliciously-crafted pdf file. In the wild, this has been observed to result in a malicious actor installing a custom executable on the victim's machine, and establishing communications. ref 1 |
live |
Detection chain · ATT&CK Enterprise v20.0 detection strategies, analytics, log sources
T1071.001 Web Protocols primary impact
- DET0027 Detection of Web Protocol-Based C2 Over HTTP, HTTPS, or WebSockets
AN0075 WindowsDetects unexpected or high-volume HTTP/S/WebSocket communication from suspicious processes (e.g., PowerShell, rundll32) using uncommon user agents or mimicking browser traffic to unusual domains or IPs.Tunable:
ProcessNameExclusionsUserAgentAnomaliesOutboundByteRatioThresholdAN0076 LinuxDetects curl, wget, Python requests, or custom HTTP clients communicating over non-standard ports, with repetitive or beacon-like patterns or POST-heavy behavior to rare domains.Tunable:CommandLinePatternMatchBeaconIntervalWindowAN0077 macOSDetects applications such as Automator, AppleScript, or LaunchDaemons invoking HTTP/S traffic to non-standard domains or using suspicious headers (e.g., Base64 in URIs or cookie fields).Tunable:SuspiciousParentProcessURIEntropyThresholdAN0078 ESXiDetects HTTP or HTTPS communication initiated by shell-based scripts or management daemons, especially those reaching public IPs over ports 80/443 using embedded curl or wget.Tunable:ShellScriptMatchExternalConnectionFilterAN0079 Network DevicesDetects Web protocol misuse such as encoded HTTP headers, WebSocket upgrade requests with abnormal payloads, or TLS handshake anomalies suggesting embedded C2 channels.Tunable:HeaderEncodingPatternTLSFingerprintMismatch
Sigma rules tagged attack.t1071.001 (42)
Author: citron_ninja
· 2023-10-25 (modified 2023-11-20) · logsource: product=windows category=dns_query · 1cb0c6ce-3d00-44fc-ab9c-6d6d577bf20b
Detects DNS query requests to Devtunnels domains. Attackers can abuse that feature to establish a reverse shell or persistence on a machine.
Author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems)
· 2017-07-08 (modified 2021-11-27) · logsource: category=proxy · 21e44d78-95e7-421b-a464-ffd8395659c4
Detects a potentially suspicious empty user agent strings in proxy log.
Could potentially indicate an uncommon request method.
Author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems)
· 2020-04-15 (modified 2021-11-27) · logsource: category=proxy · 2b1ee7e4-89b6-4739-b7bb-b811b6607e5e
Detects downloads from PwnDrp web servers developed for red team testing and most likely also used for criminal activity
Author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
· 2023-09-28 (modified 2025-10-29) · logsource: product=windows category=process_creation · 2cf29f11-e356-4f61-98c0-1bdb9393d6da
Detects renamed Visual Studio Code tunnel execution. Attackers can abuse this functionality to establish a C2 channel
Author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems)
· 2021-06-09 (modified 2024-02-15) · logsource: category=proxy · 304810ed-8853-437f-9e36-c4975c3dfd7e
Detects Baby Shark C2 Framework default communication patterns
Author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
· 2023-10-25 · logsource: product=windows category=process_creation · 30bf1789-379d-4fdc-900f-55cd0a90a801
Detects the installation of VsCode tunnel (code-tunnel) as a service.
Author: frack113
· 2022-01-23 (modified 2023-02-21) · logsource: product=windows category=process_creation · 3286d37a-00fd-41c2-a624-a672dcd34e60
Detects execution of curl.exe with custom useragent options
Author: CertainlyP
· 2024-04-26 · logsource: product=windows category=network_connection · 37e4024a-6c80-4d8f-b95d-2e7e94f3a8d1
Detects outbound network connection initiated by Microsoft Dialer.
The Microsoft Dialer, also known as Phone Dialer, is a built-in utility application included in various versions of the Microsoft Windows operating system. Its primary function is to provide users with a graphical interface for managing phone calls via a modem or a phone line connected to the computer.
This is an outdated process in the current conext of it's usage and is a common target for info stealers for process injection, and is used to make C2 connections, common example is "Rhadamanthys"
Author: Mike Wade
· 2020-09-16 (modified 2022-03-24) · logsource: category=dns · 3eaf6218-3bed-4d8a-8707-274096f12a18
Detects wannacry killswitch domain dns queries
Author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems)
· 2019-12-05 (modified 2023-01-19) · logsource: category=proxy · 5468045b-4fcc-4d1a-973c-c9c9578edacb
Detects direct access to raw pastes in different paste services often used by malware in their second stages to download malicious code in encrypted or encoded form
Author: Thomas Patzke
· 2019-11-12 (modified 2023-05-18) · logsource: category=proxy · 5ba715b6-71b7-44fd-8245-f66893e81b3d
Detects suspicious user agent string of APT40 Dropbox tool
Author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems), X__Junior (Nextron Systems), Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
· 2017-07-08 (modified 2024-04-14) · logsource: category=proxy · 5c84856b-55a5-45f1-826f-13f37250cf4e
Detects suspicious user agent strings used by malware in proxy logs
Author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems), Markus Neis
· 2019-11-12 (modified 2024-02-15) · logsource: category=proxy · 6ec820f2-e963-4801-9127-d8b2dce4d31b
Detects suspicious user agent strings used in APT malware in proxy logs
Author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems)
· 2017-07-08 (modified 2022-10-31) · logsource: category=proxy · 7195a772-4b3f-43a4-a210-6a003d65caa1
Detects suspicious malformed user agent strings in proxy logs
Author: Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel (Nextron Systems)
· 2026-04-01 · logsource: category=dns · 73e5d24f-493f-4092-bd2f-c72cabda40ee
Detects DNS queries for the malicious C2 domain associated with the plain-crypto-js/Axios npm package supply chain compromise.
On March 30, 2026, malicious versions (1.14.1, 0.30.4) were published to npm, injecting a dependency (plain-crypto-js@4.2.1) that executed a postinstall script as a cross-platform RAT dropper.
This detection detects endpoints attempting to resolve the attacker's C2 domain (sfrclak.com) used for command and control communication.
All 42 rules on the technique page →
T1204.002 Malicious File exploitation technique
- DET0294 User Execution – Malicious File via download/open → spawn chain (T1204.002)
AN0819 WindowsUser opens a file delivered by email, web, chat, or share. The handler application (Word/PDF reader/archiver) creates a file in user-controlled paths (Downloads, Temp, Desktop) and then spawns a new or unusual child process (e.g., powershell.exe, wscript.exe, cmd.exe, regsvr32.exe, rundll32.exe, msiexec.exe). Optional precursors include FileStreamCreated (URL/UNC) and Office → system32 batch writes.Tunable:
TimeWindowSuspiciousExtensionsUserPathsParentAppsSignerAllowListAN0820 macOSUser opens a downloaded document/installer leading to EndpointSecurity file create in ~/Downloads or ~/Library paths then an exec of a suspicious utility (osascript, bash/zsh, curl, chmod, open with -a Terminal). Correlates File Creation with subsequent process exec and, optionally, quarantine/LSQuarantine events.macos:unifiedlogprocess_exec: image in {/bin/bash,/bin/zsh,/usr/bin/osascript,/usr/bin/python*,/usr/bin/curl,/usr/bin/ssh,/usr/bin/open} AND parent in {Preview, TextEdit, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, AdobeReader, Archive Utility, Finder}→ DC0032 Process Creationmacos:endpointsecurityES_EVENT_TYPE_NOTIFY_CREATE: path under /Users/*/(Downloads|Desktop|Library/*/Containers|Library/Group Containers) AND extension in SuspiciousExtensions→ DC0039 File CreationTunable:TimeWindowQuarantineRequiredParentAppsAN0821 LinuxUser or desktop application writes a new file to ~/Downloads, /tmp, or mounted removable media followed by execve of a risky interpreter/loader (bash, sh, python, perl, php, node, curl|wget piping to sh, ld.so, rdesktop, xdg-open - with unusual args). Uses auditd PATH+SYSCALL (open/creat/write/rename) with execve event linking.auditd:SYSCALLopen/create/rename: name in (/home/*/Downloads/*|/tmp/*|/run/user/*|/media/*) AND ext in SuspiciousExtensions→ DC0039 File Creationauditd:SYSCALLexecve: exe in {/bin/bash,/bin/sh,/usr/bin/python*,/usr/bin/perl,/usr/bin/php,/usr/bin/node,/usr/bin/curl,/usr/bin/wget,/usr/bin/xdg-open,/usr/bin/ssh,/usr/bin/rundll32 (wine)} AND ppid process is a document viewer/browser→ DC0032 Process CreationTunable:TimeWindowDesktopParentMap
Sigma rules tagged attack.t1204.002 (39)
Author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems)
· 2017-11-07 (modified 2023-05-18) · logsource: category=proxy · 00d0b5ab-1f55-4120-8e83-487c0a7baf19
Detects download of certain file types from hosts in suspicious TLDs
Author: Joseph Kamau
· 2024-05-27 (modified 2025-10-07) · logsource: product=windows category=process_creation · 1193d960-2369-499f-a158-7b50a31df682
Detects when a browser process or browser tab is launched from an application that handles document files such as Adobe, Microsoft Office, etc. And connects to a web application over http(s), this could indicate a possible phishing attempt.
Author: Steffen Rogge (dr0pd34d)
· 2024-07-10 · logsource: product=windows category=image_load · 1337afba-d17d-4d23-bd55-29b927603b30
Detects Microsoft Word loading an Add-In (.wll) file which can be used by threat actors for initial access or persistence.
Author: Michael Haag, Florian Roth (Nextron Systems), Markus Neis, Elastic, FPT.EagleEye Team
· 2022-02-28 (modified 2023-02-04) · logsource: product=windows category=process_creation · 208748f7-881d-47ac-a29c-07ea84bf691d
Detects a suspicious process spawning from an Outlook process.
Author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel (Nextron Systems)
· 2022-08-10 (modified 2025-10-12) · logsource: product=windows category=file_event · 28208707-fe31-437f-9a7f-4b1108b94d2e
Detects the creation of potentially malicious script and executable files in Windows startup folders, which is a common persistence technique used by threat actors.
These files (.ps1, .vbs, .js, .bat, etc.) are automatically executed when a user logs in, making the Startup folder an attractive target for attackers.
This technique is frequently observed in malvertising campaigns and malware distribution where attackers attempt to maintain long-term access to compromised systems.
Author: Michael Haag, Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel (Nextron Systems)
· 2025-11-03 · logsource: product=windows service=appxdeployment-server · 289dfa9e-e378-4a56-a9d4-7ed5ee218029
Detects successful MSIX/AppX package installations on Windows systems by monitoring EventID 854 in the Microsoft-Windows-AppXDeployment-Server/Operational log.
While most installations are legitimate, this can help identify unauthorized or suspicious package installations.
It is crucial to monitor such events as threat actors may exploit MSIX/AppX packages to deliver and execute malicious payloads.
Author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems)
· 2020-05-08 (modified 2023-02-13) · logsource: product=windows category=process_creation · 29fd07fc-9cfd-4331-b7fd-cc18dfa21052
Detects specific process characteristics of Maze ransomware word document droppers
Author: Leonardo Gasparini
· 2026-05-12 · logsource: product=linux category=process_creation · 3c6f5e4a-8d0b-6abc-d9e2-4f7a6b8c9d0e
Detects process execution indicators associated with the Mini Shai-Hulud supply-chain campaign targeting TanStack npm packages and others such as mistralai and uipath reported on early May 2026.
The preinstall hook runs setup.mjs, which downloads a platform-specific Bun runtime.
Author: Pushkarev Dmitry
· 2020-06-28 (modified 2025-12-03) · logsource: product=windows service=applocker · 401e5d00-b944-11ea-8f9a-00163ecd60ae
Detects when AppLocker prevents the execution of an Application, DLL, Script, MSI, or Packaged-App from running.
Author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems), Markus Neis, FPT.EagleEye Team, Vadim Khrykov, Cyb3rEng, Michael Haag, Christopher Peacock @securepeacock, @scythe_io
· 2018-04-06 (modified 2023-04-24) · logsource: product=windows category=process_creation · 438025f9-5856-4663-83f7-52f878a70a50
Detects a suspicious process spawning from one of the Microsoft Office suite products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, Visio, etc.)
Author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems)
· 2017-10-25 (modified 2022-08-08) · logsource: category=proxy · 4922a5dd-6743-4fc2-8e81-144374280997
Detects a flashplayer update from an unofficial location
Author: heyyanu
· 2026-03-26 (modified 2026-10-20) · logsource: product=windows service=applocker · 557e3bd3-7f21-495d-8d50-7c8bdfb8041c
Detects when AppLocker "Audit only" enforcement mode reports that an Application, DLL, Script, MSI,
or Packaged-App would have been blocked if AppLocker "Enforce rules" enforcement mode was enabled.
This rule triggers on the AppLocker audit events and requires review of the reported path against the local AppLocker policy.
Since this rule triggers solely on event IDs without path-based filtering, tuning and false positive
suppression must be handled at the AppLocker policy level by the policy author, not via Sigma filters.
Analysts should review the reported FullFilePath and correlate with the local AppLocker policy to
determine whether the activity is expected or warrants investigation.
Author: Roberto Rodriguez (Cyb3rWard0g), OTR (Open Threat Research)
· 2020-05-02 (modified 2023-08-17) · logsource: product=windows category=registry_set · 60936b49-fca0-4f32-993d-7415edcf9a5d
A General detection for a new application in AppCompat. This indicates an application executing for the first time on an endpoint.
Author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems)
· 2017-11-23 (modified 2021-11-27) · logsource: product=windows category=process_creation · 678eb5f4-8597-4be6-8be7-905e4234b53a
Detects exploits that use CVE-2017-11882 to start EQNEDT32.EXE and other sub processes like mshta.exe
Author: Sohan G (D4rkCiph3r)
· 2023-01-31 (modified 2023-02-04) · logsource: product=macos category=process_creation · 69483748-1525-4a6c-95ca-90dc8d431b68
Detects suspicious child processes spawning from microsoft office suite applications such as word or excel. This could indicates malicious macro execution