.NET Profiler DLL Agent

The .NET Profiler Payload is a managed in-process agent within Control Pack designed to operate inside .NET applications using the official CLR profiling mechanism.

Unlike native agents that rely on Windows internals and loader behavior, this payload leverages the Common Language Runtime (CLR) itself to gain execution inside a target application. It is implemented as a CLR profiler DLL that is loaded by the runtime at application startup, allowing the agent to execute entirely within the context of an existing, trusted .NET process.

This approach is ideal for environments where .NET applications (services, desktop apps, web servers, middleware) are prevalent.

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How the CLR Profiler Mechanism Works

A CLR profiler is a special type of DLL that communicates with the .NET runtime using Microsoft’s official profiling API.

When a .NET application starts, the runtime can be instructed (through environment variables or configuration) to:

• Load a profiler DLL into the process

• Initialize it before the application code executes

• Allow it to receive runtime callbacks and interact with execution

This means the payload:

• Runs inside the target application’s memory space

• Does not require modifying the application binaries

• Does not require launching a separate executable

• Operates entirely within the context of a legitimate .NET process

Control Pack leverages this mechanism to provide a reliable and stealthy managed agent.

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In-Process Execution

Once loaded into the target .NET application, the agent:

• Reads its configuration

• Establishes communication with Control Pack

• Enables in-process command execution

• Operates as part of the legitimate application runtime

Because execution happens from within the application itself, this method avoids the footprint typically associated with standalone payload execution.

This makes the agent suitable for:

• Long-lived .NET services

• Application servers

• Enterprise software built on .NET

• Desktop applications using the CLR

• Environments where process creation is closely monitored

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Operational Characteristics

The .NET Profiler Payload provides:

• Managed execution inside .NET processes

• DLL-based in-process loading

• No standalone EXE required

• No modification of the target application binaries

• Execution tied directly to the CLR lifecycle

• Stable integration with managed runtime environments

It is optimized for working with the .NET ecosystem, rather than against the operating system at a low level.