Control.exe

Binary used to launch controlpanel items in Windows

Paths

• C:\Windows\System32\control.exe
• C:\Windows\SysWOW64\control.exe

Commands

ADS

Execute evil.dll which is stored in an Alternate Data Stream (ADS).

Use case: Can be used to evade defensive countermeasures or to hide as a persistence mechanism

Privileges: User

control.exe {PATH_ABSOLUTE}:evil.dll

Execute

Execute .cpl file. A CPL is a DLL file with CPlApplet export function)

Use case: Use to execute code and bypass application whitelisting

Privileges: User

control.exe {PATH_ABSOLUTE:.cpl}

Detection

• Sigma: https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/62d4fd26b05f4d81973e7c8e80d7c1a0c6a29d0e/rules-emerging-threats/2021/Exploits/CVE-2021-40444/proc_creation_win_exploit_cve_2021_40444.yml
• Sigma: https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/62d4fd26b05f4d81973e7c8e80d7c1a0c6a29d0e/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_rundll32_susp_control_dll_load.yml
• Elastic: https://github.com/elastic/detection-rules/blob/414d32027632a49fb239abb8fbbb55d3fa8dd861/rules/windows/defense_evasion_network_connection_from_windows_binary.toml
• Elastic: https://github.com/elastic/detection-rules/blob/0875c1e4c4370ab9fbf453c8160bb5abc8ad95e7/rules/windows/defense_evasion_execution_control_panel_suspicious_args.toml
• Elastic: https://github.com/elastic/detection-rules/blob/61afb1c1c0c3f50637b1bb194f3e6fb09f476e50/rules/windows/defense_evasion_unusual_dir_ads.toml
• IOC: Control.exe executing files from alternate data streams
• IOC: Control.exe executing library file without cpl extension
• IOC: Suspicious network connections from control.exe

Resources

• https://pentestlab.blog/2017/05/24/applocker-bypass-control-panel/
• https://www.contextis.com/resources/blog/applocker-bypass-registry-key-manipulation/
• https://twitter.com/bohops/status/955659561008017409
• https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/desktop/shell/executing-control-panel-items
• https://bohops.com/2018/01/23/loading-alternate-data-stream-ads-dll-cpl-binaries-to-bypass-applocker/