Coverage › CVE-2023-26369
CVE-2023-26369 Mapped Sigma
Adobe Acrobat and Reader Out-of-Bounds Write Vulnerability
- Vendor / product
- Adobe — Acrobat and Reader
- Description (CISA)
- Adobe Acrobat and Reader contains an out-of-bounds write vulnerability that allows for code execution.
- Added to KEV
- 2023-09-14
- Due date
- 2023-10-05
- Required action
- Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
- Known ransomware use
- Unknown
- CWE
- CWE-787
- CISA notes
- https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/acrobat/apsb23-34.html
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-26369 - 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 v19.2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| T1204.002 Malicious File | exploitation technique | This vulnerability is exploited through a user opening a malicious PDF file. ref 1 · ref 2 |
live |
| T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution | primary impact | This vulnerability is exploited through a user opening a malicious PDF file. ref 1 · ref 2 |
live |
Detection chain · ATT&CK Enterprise v19.2 detection strategies, analytics, log sources
T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution primary impact
- DET0287 Exploitation for Client Execution – cross-platform behavior chain (browser/Office/3rd-party apps)
AN0797 WindowsCause→effect chain: (1) A client app (browser, Office, PDF/Flash/reader) experiences a crash/abnormal exit or loads from an unusual location, then (2) drops or modifies a file in user-writable paths, and/or (3) spawns an unexpected child (e.g., powershell/cmd/mshta/rundll32/wscript/installer), and (4) establishes outbound C2-like connections shortly after. Correlate application logs, file writes, process lineage, and network egress within a short window.Tunable:
TimeWindowHighRiskChildrenUserPathsAllowedPluginsEgressAllowlistAN0798 LinuxCause→effect chain: (1) Browser/Office/reader process logs crash/segfault or abnormal sandbox message, (2) new executable/script/write occurs in $HOME (Downloads, ~/.cache, /tmp), (3) unexpected child like curl/wget/bash/python opens network connections soon after.Tunable:TimeWindowUserPathsHighRiskChildrenPackageUpdatersAN0799 macOSCause→effect chain: (1) App crash/abnormal termination in unified logs for Safari/Chrome/Office/Preview, (2) new files/scripts in ~/Library, ~/Downloads, /private/var/folders/*, (3) unexpected child (osascript, zsh, bash, curl) spawned by those apps, (4) new outbound connections.Tunable:TimeWindowHighRiskChildrenUserPathsQuarantineBypass
Sigma rules tagged attack.t1203 (35)
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: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems)
· 2019-10-24 (modified 2021-11-27) · logsource: product=windows category=process_creation · 023394c4-29d5-46ab-92b8-6a534c6f447b
Detects suspicious Hangul Word Processor (Hanword) sub processes that could indicate an exploitation
Author: Sohan G (D4rkCiph3r)
· 2023-04-05 · logsource: product=macos category=process_creation · 0250638a-2b28-4541-86fc-ea4c558fa0c6
Detects suspicious child processes spawned from browsers. This could be a result of a potential web browser exploitation.
Author: Arnim Rupp (Nextron Systems)
· 2026-06-15 · logsource: category=antivirus · 101a1877-2cf4-474d-abfd-7f6ac4788d1a
Detects a highly relevant Antivirus alert that reports APT malware.
This event must not be ignored just because the AV has blocked the malware but investigate, how it came there in the first place.
Author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
· 2023-08-31 · logsource: product=windows category=process_creation · 146aace8-9bd6-42ba-be7a-0070d8027b76
Detects potentially suspicious child processes of WinRAR.exe.
Author: Roberto Rodriguez (Cyb3rWard0g), OTR (Open Threat Research), MSTIC
· 2021-10-15 (modified 2022-10-05) · logsource: product=linux category=process_creation · 21541900-27a9-4454-9c4c-3f0a4240344a
Rule to detect the use of the SCX RunAsProvider Invoke_ExecuteShellCommand to execute any UNIX/Linux command using the /bin/sh shell.
SCXcore, started as the Microsoft Operations Manager UNIX/Linux Agent, is now used in a host of products including
Microsoft Operations Manager, Microsoft Azure, and Microsoft Operations Management Suite.
Author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems), Arnim Rupp
· 2018-09-09 (modified 2026-06-15) · logsource: category=antivirus · 238527ad-3c2c-4e4f-a1f6-92fd63adb864
Detects a highly relevant Antivirus alert that reports an exploitation framework.
This event must not be ignored just because the AV has blocked the malware but investigate, how it came there in the first place.
Author: Florian Roth
· 2025-01-18 · logsource: product=linux category=process_creation · 297241f3-8108-4b3a-8c15-2dda9f844594
Detects the execution of a shell as sub process of "rsync" without the expected command line flag "-e" being used, which could be an indication of exploitation as described in CVE-2024-12084. This behavior is commonly associated with attempts to execute arbitrary commands or escalate privileges, potentially leading to unauthorized access or further exploitation.
Author: Sittikorn S, frack113
· 2021-07-16 (modified 2023-08-17) · logsource: product=windows category=registry_set · 32b5db62-cb5f-4266-9639-0fa48376ac00
Detects patterns as noticed in exploitation of Windows CVE-2021-31979 CVE-2021-33771 vulnerability and DevilsTongue malware by threat group Sourgum
Author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
· 2023-06-12 (modified 2024-03-12) · logsource: product=windows category=network_connection · 3c21219b-49b5-4268-bce6-c914ed50f09c
Detects network connections from "dfsvc.exe" used to handled ClickOnce applications to non-local IPs
Author: Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel (Nextron Systems)
· 2025-05-20 · logsource: category=webserver · 41956f7c-7a6b-46d6-b6bb-da6eb2e83fbe
Detects potential exploitation of a chained vulnerability attack targeting Ivanti EPMM 12.5.0.0.
CVE-2025-4427 allows unauthenticated access to protected API endpoints via an authentication bypass,
which can then be leveraged to trigger CVE-2025-4428 — a remote code execution vulnerability through
template injection. This sequence enables unauthenticated remote code execution, significantly increasing
the impact of exploitation.
Author: Huntress Labs, Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel (Nextron Systems)
· 2025-10-31 · logsource: product=windows category=process_creation · 43259cc4-1b80-4931-bd98-baea01afc196
Detects the creation of command-line interpreters (cmd.exe, powershell.exe) as child processes of Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) related process wsusservice.exe.
This behavior is a key indicator of exploitation for the critical remote code execution vulnerability such as CVE-2025-59287, where attackers spawn shells to conduct reconnaissance and further post-exploitation activities.
Author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems), Zach Mathis
· 2020-01-15 (modified 2022-10-22) · logsource: product=windows service=application · 48d91a3a-2363-43ba-a456-ca71ac3da5c2
Detects events generated by user-mode applications when they call the CveEventWrite API when a known vulnerability is trying to be exploited.
MS started using this log in Jan. 2020 with CVE-2020-0601 (a Windows CryptoAPI vulnerability.
Unfortunately, that is about the only instance of CVEs being written to this log.
Author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
· 2023-06-12 (modified 2024-01-31) · logsource: product=windows category=network_connection · 4c5fba4a-9ef6-4f16-823d-606246054741
Detects an initiated network connection over uncommon ports from "dfsvc.exe". A utility used to handled ClickOnce applications.
Author: Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel (Nextron Systems)
· 2025-11-25 · logsource: product=windows category=process_creation · 5299fadf-f228-4526-8274-251db1960be9
Detects the execution of `bun_environment.js` via the Bun runtime, a behavior associated with the Shai-Hulud "Second Coming" NPM supply chain attack.
The malware uses a `setup_bun.js` script to install the Bun runtime if not present, and then executes the malicious `bun_environment.js` payload.
All 35 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 · 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.
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