Notepad++ Updater DNS Query to Uncommon Domains

experimentalmedium
Log-Quelle: windows · dns_queryAutor Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel (Nextron Systems)Datum 2026-02-02
01

Beschreibung

Was dies ist, in Kürze.

Detects when the Notepad++ updater (gup.exe) makes DNS queries to domains that are not part of the known legitimate update infrastructure. This could indicate potential exploitation of the updater mechanism or suspicious network activity that warrants further investigation.

02

Tags

attack.collectionattack.credential-accessattack.t1195.002attack.initial-accessattack.t1557
03

Regelquelle (YAML)

title: Notepad++ Updater DNS Query to Uncommon Domains
id: 2074e137-1b73-4e2d-88ba-5a3407dbdce0
status: experimental
description: |
    Detects when the Notepad++ updater (gup.exe) makes DNS queries to domains that are not part of the known legitimate update infrastructure.
    This could indicate potential exploitation of the updater mechanism or suspicious network activity that warrants further investigation.
references:
    - https://notepad-plus-plus.org/news/v889-released/
    - https://www.heise.de/en/news/Notepad-updater-installed-malware-11109726.html
    - https://www.rapid7.com/blog/post/tr-chrysalis-backdoor-dive-into-lotus-blossoms-toolkit/
    - https://www.validin.com/blog/exploring_notepad_plus_plus_network_indicators/
    - https://securelist.com/notepad-supply-chain-attack/118708/
author: Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel (Nextron Systems)
date: 2026-02-02
modified: 2026-03-16
tags:
    - attack.collection
    - attack.credential-access
    - attack.t1195.002
    - attack.initial-access
    - attack.t1557
logsource:
    category: dns_query
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        Image|endswith: '\gup.exe'
    filter_main_notepad_legit_domain:
        QueryName: 'notepad-plus-plus.org'
    filter_optional_sourceforge_legit_domain:
        QueryName|endswith: '.sourceforge.net'
    filter_optional_github_legit_domain:
        - QueryName|endswith: '.githubusercontent.com'
        - QueryName: 'github.com'
    filter_optional_google_storage_legit_domain:
        QueryName|endswith: '.googleapis.com'
    filter_optional_uncommon_domains:
        QueryName|endswith:
            - '.azurewebsites.net'
            - 'block.opendns.com'
            - 'gateway.zscalerthree.net'
    # Add other known legitimate domains if any
    condition: selection and not 1 of filter_main_* and not 1 of filter_optional_*
falsepositives:
    - Some legitimate network misconfigurations or proxy issues causing unexpected DNS queries.
    - Other legitimate query to official domains not listed in the filter, needing tuning.
level: medium # can be upgraded to high after tuning with known legitimate DNS queries
04

erkennt Techniken (2)

ATT&CK-Techniken, die dies ermöglicht oder abbildet.

05

Referenzen

Externe Belege — Patches, Meldungen, Analysen.