T1546.009 AppCert DLLs
sub-techniqueEnterpriseAdversaries may establish persistence and/or elevate privileges by executing malicious content triggered by AppCert DLLs loaded into processes. Dynamic-link libraries (DLLs) that are specified in the <code>AppCertDLLs</code> Registry key under <code>HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\</code> are loaded into every process that calls the ubiquitously used application programming interface (API) functions <code>CreateProcess</code>, <code>CreateProcessAsUser</code>, <code>CreateProcessWithLoginW</code>, <code>CreateProcessWithTokenW</code>, or <code>WinExec</code>. Similar to Process Injection, this value can be abused to obtain elevated privileges by causing a malicious DLL to be loaded and run in the context of separate processes on the computer. Malicious AppCert DLLs may also provide persistence by continuously being triggered by API activity.
platforms
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tactics
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sub-technique of
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mitigations
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detected by (3)
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countered by (D3FEND)
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Detect
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NIST CSF 2.0 — areas of relevance (Protect / Detect)
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- PR.DSData Securitystrong · backed by 2 of 3 mapped controls
- PR.PSPlatform Securitystrong · backed by 2 of 3 mapped controls
- DE.CMContinuous Monitoringmoderate · backed by 1 of 3 mapped controls
Derived from MITRE CTID (Apache-2.0) and the NIST 800-53 ↔ CSF crosswalk (public domain). Indicative relevance along the Protect/Detect axis — not a compliance assessment or coverage claim.
mitigating controls (3)
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software (1)
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Detected by (Sigma) (2)
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