Skip to main content
MuonPartners
Services
Architecture

Solution design and technology roadmapping

Solution AssessmentTechnology RoadmapsIntegration DesignSolution ArchitectureTechnical Design
Cyber Security

Security assessments, IAM, and compliance

AssessmentsIAMComplianceSecurity BaselineCyber Innovation
Network and Platform

Network architecture and cloud platforms

Network DesignCloud StrategyModernisation
Enterprise Architecture

Business-technology alignment

Business AlignmentPortfolio AnalysisGovernance
View all services
ProjectsCase StudiesInsightsToolsAbout
Contact Us

Services

Architecture
Solution AssessmentTechnology RoadmapsIntegration DesignSolution ArchitectureTechnical Design
Cyber Security
AssessmentsIAMComplianceSecurity BaselineCyber Innovation
Network and Platform
Network DesignCloud StrategyModernisation
Enterprise Architecture
Business AlignmentPortfolio AnalysisGovernance
ProjectsCase StudiesInsightsToolsAboutContact
Get in Touch
MuonPartners

Strategic technology consulting for Australian organisations navigating complexity.

Services

  • Architecture
  • Cyber Security
  • Network and Platform
  • Enterprise Architecture

Company

  • About
  • Products
  • Frameworks
  • Cross-Framework Mapping
  • Projects
  • Case Studies
  • Insights
  • Contact

Contact

  • [email protected]
  • Australia
  • LinkedIn

© 2026 Muon Partners. All rights reserved.

ABN 50 669 022 315 · A Muon Group company.

Privacy PolicyTerms of Service
  1. Frameworks
  2. >ATTACK
  3. >Defense Evasion
  4. >ATTACK-T1218.010
ATTACK-T1218.010Active

Regsvr32

Statement

Adversaries may abuse Regsvr32.exe to proxy execution of malicious code. Regsvr32.exe is a command-line program used to register and unregister object linking and embedding controls, including dynamic link libraries (DLLs), on Windows systems. The Regsvr32.exe binary may also be signed by Microsoft. (Citation: Microsoft Regsvr32)

Malicious usage of Regsvr32.exe may avoid triggering security tools that may not monitor execution of, and modules loaded by, the regsvr32.exe process because of allowlists or false positives from Windows using regsvr32.exe for normal operations. Regsvr32.exe can also be used to specifically bypass application control using functionality to load COM scriptlets to execute DLLs under user permissions. Since Regsvr32.exe is network and proxy aware, the scripts can be loaded by passing a uniform resource locator (URL) to file on an external Web server as an argument during invocation. This method makes no changes to the Registry as the COM object is not actually registered, only executed. (Citation: LOLBAS Regsvr32) This variation of the technique is often referred to as a "Squiblydoo" and has been used in campaigns targeting governments. (Citation: Carbon Black Squiblydoo Apr 2016) (Citation: FireEye Regsvr32 Targeting Mongolian Gov)

Regsvr32.exe can also be leveraged to register a COM Object used to establish persistence via Component Object Model Hijacking. (Citation: Carbon Black Squiblydoo Apr 2016)

Location

Tactic
Defense Evasion

Technique Details

Identifier
ATTACK-T1218.010
Parent Technique
ATTACK-T1218
ATT&CK Page
View on MITRE

Tactics

Defense Evasion

Platforms

Windows

Detection

Detection Strategy for System Binary Proxy Execution: Regsvr32

Mitigations

Exploit Protection: Deploy capabilities that detect, block, and mitigate conditions indicative of software exploits. These capabilities aim to prevent exploitation by addressing vulnerabilities, monitoring anomalous behaviors, and applying exploit-mitigation techniques to harden systems and software.

Operating System Exploit Protections:

  • Use Case: Enable built-in exploit protection features provided by modern operating systems, such as Microsoft's Exploit Protection, which includes techniques like Data Execution Prevention (DEP), Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR), and Control Flow Guard (CFG).
  • Implementation: Enforce DEP for all programs and enable ASLR to randomize memory addresses used by system and application processes. Windows: Configure Exploit Protection through the Windows Security app or deploy settings via Group Policy. ExploitProtectionExportSettings.exe -path "exploit_settings.xml" Linux: Use Kernel-level hardening features like SELinux, AppArmor, or GRSEC to enforce memory protections and prevent exploits.

Third-Party Endpoint Security:

  • Use Case: Use endpoint protection tools with built-in exploit protection, such as enhanced memory protection, behavior monitoring, and real-time exploit detection.
  • Implementation: Deploy tools to detect and block exploitation attempts targeting unpatched software.

Virtual Patching:

  • Use Case: Use tools to implement virtual patches that mitigate vulnerabilities in applications or operating systems until official patches are applied.
  • Implementation: Use Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) to block exploitation attempts on known vulnerabilities in outdated applications.

Hardening Application Configurations:

  • Use Case: Disable risky application features that can be exploited, such as macros in Microsoft Office or JScript in Internet Explorer.
  • Implementation: Configure Microsoft Office Group Policies to disable execution of macros in downloaded files.
SP 800-53
SP800-53-CA-7relatedvia ctid-attack-to-sp800-53
SP800-53-SI-10relatedvia ctid-attack-to-sp800-53
SP800-53-SI-4relatedvia ctid-attack-to-sp800-53
SP800-53-SI-7relatedvia ctid-attack-to-sp800-53
View in graphReport an issue
← Back to Defense Evasion
Defense Evasion183 controls
ATTACK-T1006Direct Volume AccessATTACK-T1014RootkitATTACK-T1027Obfuscated Files or InformationATTACK-T1027.001Binary PaddingATTACK-T1027.002Software PackingATTACK-T1027.003SteganographyATTACK-T1027.004Compile After DeliveryATTACK-T1027.005Indicator Removal from ToolsATTACK-T1027.006HTML SmugglingATTACK-T1027.007Dynamic API ResolutionATTACK-T1027.008Stripped PayloadsATTACK-T1027.009Embedded PayloadsATTACK-T1027.010Command ObfuscationATTACK-T1027.011Fileless StorageATTACK-T1027.012LNK Icon SmugglingATTACK-T1027.013Encrypted/Encoded FileATTACK-T1027.014Polymorphic CodeATTACK-T1027.015CompressionATTACK-T1027.016Junk Code InsertionATTACK-T1027.017SVG SmugglingATTACK-T1036MasqueradingATTACK-T1036.001Invalid Code SignatureATTACK-T1036.002Right-to-Left OverrideATTACK-T1036.003Rename Legitimate UtilitiesATTACK-T1036.004Masquerade Task or ServiceATTACK-T1036.005Match Legitimate Resource Name or LocationATTACK-T1036.006Space after FilenameATTACK-T1036.007Double File ExtensionATTACK-T1036.008Masquerade File TypeATTACK-T1036.009Break Process TreesATTACK-T1036.010Masquerade Account NameATTACK-T1036.011Overwrite Process ArgumentsATTACK-T1036.012Browser FingerprintATTACK-T1055Process InjectionATTACK-T1055.001Dynamic-link Library InjectionATTACK-T1055.002Portable Executable InjectionATTACK-T1055.003Thread Execution HijackingATTACK-T1055.004Asynchronous Procedure CallATTACK-T1055.005Thread Local StorageATTACK-T1055.008Ptrace System CallsATTACK-T1055.009Proc MemoryATTACK-T1055.011Extra Window Memory InjectionATTACK-T1055.012Process HollowingATTACK-T1055.013Process DoppelgängingATTACK-T1055.014VDSO HijackingATTACK-T1055.015ListPlantingATTACK-T1070Indicator RemovalATTACK-T1070.001Clear Windows Event LogsATTACK-T1070.002Clear Linux or Mac System LogsATTACK-T1070.003Clear Command HistoryATTACK-T1070.004File DeletionATTACK-T1070.005Network Share Connection RemovalATTACK-T1070.006TimestompATTACK-T1070.007Clear Network Connection History and ConfigurationsATTACK-T1070.008Clear Mailbox DataATTACK-T1070.009Clear PersistenceATTACK-T1070.010Relocate MalwareATTACK-T1078Valid AccountsATTACK-T1078.001Default AccountsATTACK-T1078.002Domain AccountsATTACK-T1078.003Local AccountsATTACK-T1078.004Cloud AccountsATTACK-T1112Modify RegistryATTACK-T1127Trusted Developer Utilities Proxy ExecutionATTACK-T1127.001MSBuildATTACK-T1127.002ClickOnceATTACK-T1127.003JamPlusATTACK-T1134Access Token ManipulationATTACK-T1134.001Token Impersonation/TheftATTACK-T1134.002Create Process with TokenATTACK-T1134.003Make and Impersonate TokenATTACK-T1134.004Parent PID SpoofingATTACK-T1134.005SID-History InjectionATTACK-T1140Deobfuscate/Decode Files or InformationATTACK-T1197BITS JobsATTACK-T1202Indirect Command ExecutionATTACK-T1205Traffic SignalingATTACK-T1205.001Port KnockingATTACK-T1205.002Socket FiltersATTACK-T1207Rogue Domain ControllerATTACK-T1211Exploitation for Defense EvasionATTACK-T1216System Script Proxy ExecutionATTACK-T1216.001PubPrnATTACK-T1216.002SyncAppvPublishingServerATTACK-T1218System Binary Proxy ExecutionATTACK-T1218.001Compiled HTML FileATTACK-T1218.002Control PanelATTACK-T1218.003CMSTPATTACK-T1218.004InstallUtilATTACK-T1218.005MshtaATTACK-T1218.007MsiexecATTACK-T1218.008OdbcconfATTACK-T1218.009Regsvcs/RegasmATTACK-T1218.010Regsvr32ATTACK-T1218.011Rundll32ATTACK-T1218.012VerclsidATTACK-T1218.013MavinjectATTACK-T1218.014MMCATTACK-T1218.015Electron ApplicationsATTACK-T1220XSL Script ProcessingATTACK-T1221Template InjectionATTACK-T1222File and Directory Permissions ModificationATTACK-T1222.001Windows File and Directory Permissions ModificationATTACK-T1222.002Linux and Mac File and Directory Permissions ModificationATTACK-T1480Execution GuardrailsATTACK-T1480.001Environmental KeyingATTACK-T1480.002Mutual ExclusionATTACK-T1484Domain or Tenant Policy ModificationATTACK-T1484.001Group Policy ModificationATTACK-T1484.002Trust ModificationATTACK-T1497Virtualization/Sandbox EvasionATTACK-T1497.001System ChecksATTACK-T1497.002User Activity Based ChecksATTACK-T1497.003Time Based ChecksATTACK-T1535Unused/Unsupported Cloud RegionsATTACK-T1542Pre-OS BootATTACK-T1542.004ROMMONkitATTACK-T1542.005TFTP BootATTACK-T1548.006TCC ManipulationATTACK-T1550Use Alternate Authentication MaterialATTACK-T1550.001Application Access TokenATTACK-T1550.002Pass the HashATTACK-T1550.003Pass the TicketATTACK-T1550.004Web Session CookieATTACK-T1553Subvert Trust ControlsATTACK-T1553.001Gatekeeper BypassATTACK-T1553.002Code SigningATTACK-T1553.003SIP and Trust Provider HijackingATTACK-T1553.004Install Root CertificateATTACK-T1553.005Mark-of-the-Web BypassATTACK-T1553.006Code Signing Policy ModificationATTACK-T1562Impair DefensesATTACK-T1562.001Disable or Modify ToolsATTACK-T1562.002Disable Windows Event LoggingATTACK-T1562.003Impair Command History LoggingATTACK-T1562.004Disable or Modify System FirewallATTACK-T1562.006Indicator BlockingATTACK-T1562.007Disable or Modify Cloud FirewallATTACK-T1562.008Disable or Modify Cloud LogsATTACK-T1562.009Safe Mode BootATTACK-T1562.010Downgrade AttackATTACK-T1562.011Spoof Security AlertingATTACK-T1562.012Disable or Modify Linux Audit SystemATTACK-T1562.013Disable or Modify Network Device FirewallATTACK-T1564Hide ArtifactsATTACK-T1564.001Hidden Files and DirectoriesATTACK-T1564.002Hidden UsersATTACK-T1564.003Hidden WindowATTACK-T1564.004NTFS File AttributesATTACK-T1564.005Hidden File SystemATTACK-T1564.006Run Virtual InstanceATTACK-T1564.007VBA StompingATTACK-T1564.008Email Hiding RulesATTACK-T1564.009Resource ForkingATTACK-T1564.010Process Argument SpoofingATTACK-T1564.011Ignore Process InterruptsATTACK-T1564.012File/Path ExclusionsATTACK-T1564.013Bind MountsATTACK-T1564.014Extended AttributesATTACK-T1578Modify Cloud Compute InfrastructureATTACK-T1578.001Create SnapshotATTACK-T1578.002Create Cloud InstanceATTACK-T1578.003Delete Cloud InstanceATTACK-T1578.004Revert Cloud InstanceATTACK-T1578.005Modify Cloud Compute ConfigurationsATTACK-T1599Network Boundary BridgingATTACK-T1599.001Network Address Translation TraversalATTACK-T1600Weaken EncryptionATTACK-T1600.001Reduce Key SpaceATTACK-T1600.002Disable Crypto HardwareATTACK-T1601Modify System ImageATTACK-T1601.001Patch System ImageATTACK-T1601.002Downgrade System ImageATTACK-T1610Deploy ContainerATTACK-T1612Build Image on HostATTACK-T1620Reflective Code LoadingATTACK-T1622Debugger EvasionATTACK-T1647Plist File ModificationATTACK-T1656ImpersonationATTACK-T1666Modify Cloud Resource HierarchyATTACK-T1672Email SpoofingATTACK-T1678Delay ExecutionATTACK-T1679Selective Exclusion