> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/analytics-alerts/alerts-by-name/rundll32-exe-running-with-no-command-line-arguments.md).

# Rundll32.exe running with no command-line arguments

### Synopsis

| Field                | Value                                               |
| -------------------- | --------------------------------------------------- |
| Activation Period    | 14 Days                                             |
| Training Period      | 30 Days                                             |
| Test Period          | N/A (single event)                                  |
| Deduplication Period | 1 Day                                               |
| Required Data        | XDR Agent                                           |
| Detector Tags        | LOLBIN Execution Analytics                          |
| ATT\&CK Tactic       | Stealth (TA0005)                                    |
| ATT\&CK Technique    | System Binary Proxy Execution: Rundll32 (T1218.011) |
| Severity             | Medium                                              |

### Description

Rundll32.exe is meant to run with parameters, so the absence of them is extremely suspicious; this behavior is used in the default configuration of Cobalt Strike.

### Attacker's Goals

* Run as a signed Microsoft executables to avoid detection.
* Rundll32 is the default process used by Cobalt Strike for running post-exploitation tools.

### Investigative actions

* Check for any injection event to the Rundll32 process.
* Check the causality of execution for any injections.


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