title: Suspicious Persistence Via VMwareToolBoxCmd.EXE VM State Change Script
id: 236d8e89-ed95-4789-a982-36f4643738ba
related:
    - id: 7aa4e81a-a65c-4e10-9f81-b200eb229d7d
      type: derived
status: test
description: Detects execution of the "VMwareToolBoxCmd.exe" with the "script" and "set" flag to setup a specific script that's located in a potentially suspicious location to run for a specific VM state
references:
    - https://bohops.com/2021/10/08/analyzing-and-detecting-a-vmtools-persistence-technique/
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2023-06-14
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.persistence
    - attack.t1059
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_bin_img:
        - Image|endswith: '\VMwareToolBoxCmd.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'toolbox-cmd.exe'
    selection_bin_cli:
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - ' script '
            - ' set '
    selection_susp_paths:
        CommandLine|contains:
            - ':\PerfLogs\'
            - ':\Temp\'
            - ':\Windows\System32\Tasks\'
            - ':\Windows\Tasks\'
            - ':\Windows\Temp\'
            - '\AppData\Local\Temp'
    condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: Potentially Suspicious Execution From Parent Process In Public Folder
id: 69bd9b97-2be2-41b6-9816-fb08757a4d1a
status: test
description: |
    Detects a potentially suspicious execution of a parent process located in the "\Users\Public" folder executing a child process containing references to shell or scripting binaries and commandlines.
references:
    - https://redcanary.com/blog/blackbyte-ransomware/
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems), Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2022-02-25
modified: 2024-07-12
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1564
    - attack.t1059
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_parent:
        ParentImage|contains: ':\Users\Public\'
    selection_child:
        - Image|endswith:
              - '\bitsadmin.exe'
              - '\certutil.exe'
              - '\cmd.exe'
              - '\cscript.exe'
              - '\mshta.exe'
              - '\powershell.exe'
              - '\pwsh.exe'
              - '\regsvr32.exe'
              - '\rundll32.exe'
              - '\wscript.exe'
        - CommandLine|contains:
              - 'bitsadmin'
              - 'certutil'
              - 'cscript'
              - 'mshta'
              - 'powershell'
              - 'regsvr32'
              - 'rundll32'
              - 'wscript'
    condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: Run PowerShell Script from Redirected Input Stream
id: c83bf4b5-cdf0-437c-90fa-43d734f7c476
status: test
description: Detects PowerShell script execution via input stream redirect
references:
    - https://github.com/LOLBAS-Project/LOLBAS/blob/4db780e0f0b2e2bb8cb1fa13e09196da9b9f1834/yml/LOLUtilz/OSBinaries/Powershell.yml
    - https://twitter.com/Moriarty_Meng/status/984380793383370752
author: Moriarty Meng (idea), Anton Kutepov (rule), oscd.community
date: 2020-10-17
modified: 2021-11-27
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.t1059
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        Image|endswith:
            - '\powershell.exe'
            - '\pwsh.exe'
        CommandLine|re: '\s-\s*<'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: Add Insecure Download Source To Winget
id: 81a0ecb5-0a41-4ba1-b2ba-c944eb92bfa2
related:
    - id: 05ebafc8-7aa2-4bcd-a269-2aec93f9e842
      type: similar
    - id: c15a46a0-07d4-4c87-b4b6-89207835a83b
      type: similar
status: test
description: |
    Detects usage of winget to add a new insecure (http) download source.
    Winget will not allow the addition of insecure sources, hence this could indicate potential suspicious activity (or typos)
references:
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/package-manager/winget/source
    - https://github.com/nasbench/Misc-Research/tree/b9596e8109dcdb16ec353f316678927e507a5b8d/LOLBINs/Winget
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2023-04-17
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.t1059
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_img:
        - Image|endswith: '\winget.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'winget.exe'
    selection_cli:
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - 'source '
            - 'add '
            - 'http://'
    condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - False positives might occur if the users are unaware of such control checks
level: high

title: Suspicious Remote Child Process From Outlook
id: e212d415-0e93-435f-9e1a-f29005bb4723
related:
    - id: 208748f7-881d-47ac-a29c-07ea84bf691d # Outlook Child Processes
      type: similar
status: test
description: Detects a suspicious child process spawning from Outlook where the image is located in a remote location (SMB/WebDav shares).
references:
    - https://github.com/sensepost/ruler
    - https://www.fireeye.com/blog/threat-research/2018/12/overruled-containing-a-potentially-destructive-adversary.html
    - https://speakerdeck.com/heirhabarov/hunting-for-persistence-via-microsoft-exchange-server-or-outlook?slide=49
author: Markus Neis, Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2018-12-27
modified: 2023-02-09
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1059
    - attack.t1202
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        ParentImage|endswith: '\outlook.exe'
        Image|startswith: '\\\\'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: Script Interpreter Execution From Suspicious Folder
id: 1228c958-e64e-4e71-92ad-7d429f4138ba
status: test
description: |
    Detects suspicious script execution from suspicious directories or folders accessible by environment variables that may indicate malware activity.
    Script interpreters (cscript, wscript, mshta, powershell) executing from folders like Temp, Public, or user profile directories may suggest attempts to evade detection or execute malicious scripts.
references:
    - https://www.virustotal.com/gui/file/91ba814a86ddedc7a9d546e26f912c541205b47a853d227756ab1334ade92c3f
    - https://symantec-enterprise-blogs.security.com/blogs/threat-intelligence/shuckworm-russia-ukraine-military
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/shell/csidl
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems), Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2022-02-08
modified: 2026-02-17
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.t1059
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_proc_image:
        Image|endswith:
            - '\cscript.exe'
            - '\mshta.exe'
            - '\wscript.exe'
    selection_proc_flags:
        CommandLine|contains:
            - ' -ep bypass '
            - ' -ExecutionPolicy bypass '
            - ' -w hidden '
            - '/e:javascript '
            - '/e:Jscript '
            - '/e:vbscript '
    selection_proc_original:
        OriginalFileName:
            - 'cscript.exe'
            - 'mshta.exe'
            - 'wscript.exe'
    selection_folders_1:
        CommandLine|contains:
            - ':\Perflogs\'
            - ':\Users\Public\'
            - '\%Public%'
            - '\AppData\Local\Temp'
            - '\AppData\Roaming\Temp'
            - '\Temporary Internet'
            - '\Windows\Temp'
            - '\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\'
            - '%TEMP%'
            - '%TMP%'
            - '%LocalAppData%\Temp'
    selection_folders_2:
        - CommandLine|contains|all:
              - ':\Users\'
              - '\Favorites\'
        - CommandLine|contains|all:
              - ':\Users\'
              - '\Favourites\'
        - CommandLine|contains|all:
              - ':\Users\'
              - '\Contacts\'
        - CommandLine|contains|all:
              - ':\Users\'
              - '\Documents\'
        - CommandLine|contains|all:
              - ':\Users\'
              - '\Music\'
        - CommandLine|contains|all:
              - ':\Users\'
              - '\Pictures\'
        - CommandLine|contains|all:
              - ':\Users\'
              - '\Videos\'
    filter_optional_chocolatey_installer:
        ParentImage:
            - 'C:\Windows\System32\Msiexec.exe'
            - 'C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Msiexec.exe'
        Image|endswith: '\powershell.exe'
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - '-NoProfile -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Command'
            - 'AppData\Local\Temp\'
            - 'Install-Chocolatey.ps1'
    condition: 1 of selection_proc_* and 1 of selection_folders_* and not 1 of filter_optional_*
falsepositives:
    - Various legitimate software have been observed to use similar techniques for installation or update purposes;thus, it is recommended to review and tune filters for your environment to reduce false positives before deploying to production.
level: high

title: Renamed PingCastle Binary Execution
id: 2433a154-bb3d-42e4-86c3-a26bdac91c45
status: test
description: Detects the execution of a renamed "PingCastle" binary based on the PE metadata fields.
references:
    - https://thedfirreport.com/2023/10/30/netsupport-intrusion-results-in-domain-compromise/
    - https://www.pingcastle.com/documentation/scanner/
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), X__Junior (Nextron Systems)
date: 2024-01-11
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1059
    - attack.t1202
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        - OriginalFileName:
              - 'PingCastleReporting.exe'
              - 'PingCastleCloud.exe'
              - 'PingCastle.exe'
        - CommandLine|contains:
              - '--scanner aclcheck'
              - '--scanner antivirus'
              - '--scanner computerversion'
              - '--scanner foreignusers'
              - '--scanner laps_bitlocker'
              - '--scanner localadmin'
              - '--scanner nullsession'
              - '--scanner nullsession-trust'
              - '--scanner oxidbindings'
              - '--scanner remote'
              - '--scanner share'
              - '--scanner smb'
              - '--scanner smb3querynetwork'
              - '--scanner spooler'
              - '--scanner startup'
              - '--scanner zerologon'
        - CommandLine|contains: '--no-enum-limit'
        - CommandLine|contains|all:
              - '--healthcheck'
              - '--level Full'
        - CommandLine|contains|all:
              - '--healthcheck'
              - '--server '
    filter_main_img:
        Image|endswith:
            - '\PingCastleReporting.exe'
            - '\PingCastleCloud.exe'
            - '\PingCastle.exe'
    condition: selection and not 1 of filter_main_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: PUA - Wsudo Suspicious Execution
id: bdeeabc9-ff2a-4a51-be59-bb253aac7891
status: test
description: Detects usage of wsudo (Windows Sudo Utility). Which is a tool that let the user execute programs with different permissions (System, Trusted Installer, Administrator...etc)
references:
    - https://github.com/M2Team/Privexec/
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2022-12-02
modified: 2023-02-14
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.privilege-escalation
    - attack.t1059
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_metadata:
        - Image|endswith: '\wsudo.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'wsudo.exe'
        - Description: 'Windows sudo utility'
        - ParentImage|endswith: '\wsudo-bridge.exe'
    selection_cli:
        CommandLine|contains:
            - '-u System'
            - '-uSystem'
            - '-u TrustedInstaller'
            - '-uTrustedInstaller'
            - ' --ti '
    condition: 1 of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: Suspicious Program Names
id: efdd8dd5-cee8-4e59-9390-7d4d5e4dd6f6
status: test
description: Detects suspicious patterns in program names or folders that are often found in malicious samples or hacktools
references:
    - https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1560.001/T1560.001.md
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems)
date: 2022-02-11
modified: 2023-03-22
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.t1059
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_image:
        - Image|contains:
              - '\CVE-202' # Update this when we reach the year 2100
              - '\CVE202' # Update this when we reach the year 2100
        - Image|endswith:
              - '\poc.exe'
              - '\artifact.exe'
              - '\artifact64.exe'
              - '\artifact_protected.exe'
              - '\artifact32.exe'
              - '\artifact32big.exe'
              - 'obfuscated.exe'
              - 'obfusc.exe'
              - '\meterpreter'
    selection_commandline:
        CommandLine|contains:
            - 'inject.ps1'
            - 'Invoke-CVE'
            - 'pupy.ps1'
            - 'payload.ps1'
            - 'beacon.ps1'
            - 'PowerView.ps1'
            - 'bypass.ps1'
            - 'obfuscated.ps1'
            - 'obfusc.ps1'
            - 'obfus.ps1'
            - 'obfs.ps1'
            - 'evil.ps1'
            - 'MiniDogz.ps1'
            - '_enc.ps1'
            - '\shell.ps1'
            - '\rshell.ps1'
            - 'revshell.ps1'
            - '\av.ps1'
            - '\av_test.ps1'
            - 'adrecon.ps1'
            - 'mimikatz.ps1'
            - '\PowerUp_'
            - 'powerup.ps1'
            - '\Temp\a.ps1'
            - '\Temp\p.ps1'
            - '\Temp\1.ps1'
            - 'Hound.ps1'
            - 'encode.ps1'
            - 'powercat.ps1'
    condition: 1 of selection*
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate tools that accidentally match on the searched patterns
level: high

title: Installation of WSL Kali-Linux
id: eca8ae39-5c3c-4321-b538-9e64fe25822e
status: experimental
description: |
    Detects installation of Kali Linux distribution through Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL).
    Attackers may use Kali Linux WSL to leverage its penetration testing tools and capabilities for malicious purposes.
references:
    - https://medium.com/@redfanatic7/running-kali-linux-on-windows-51ad95166e6e
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/install
author: Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel (Nextron Systems)
date: 2025-10-10
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.t1059
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_wsl_img:
        - Image|endswith: '\wsl.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'wsl'
    selection_wsl_install:
        CommandLine|contains:
            - ' --install '
            - ' -i '
    selection_wsl_kali:
        CommandLine|contains: 'kali'
    condition: all of selection_wsl_*
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate installation or usage of Kali Linux WSL by administrators or security teams
level: high

title: Suspicious ArcSOC.exe Child Process
id: 8e95e73e-ba02-4a87-b4d7-0929b8053038
status: experimental
description: |
    Detects script interpreters, command-line tools, and similar suspicious child processes of ArcSOC.exe.
    ArcSOC.exe is the process name which hosts ArcGIS Server REST services. If an attacker compromises an ArcGIS
    Server system and uploads a malicious Server Object Extension (SOE), they can send crafted requests to the corresponding
    service endpoint and remotely execute code from the ArcSOC.exe process.
references:
    - https://reliaquest.com/blog/threat-spotlight-inside-flax-typhoons-arcgis-compromise/
    - https://enterprise.arcgis.com/en/server/12.0/administer/windows/inside-an-arcgis-server-site.htm
author: Micah Babinski
date: 2025-11-25
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.t1059
    - attack.t1203
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        ParentImage|endswith: '\ArcSOC.exe'
        Image|endswith:
            - '\cmd.exe'
            - '\cscript.exe'
            - '\mshta.exe'
            - '\powershell.exe'
            - '\pwsh.exe'
            - '\regsvr32.exe'
            - '\rundll32.exe'
            - '\wmic.exe'
            - '\wscript.exe'
    filter_main_cmd:
        Image|endswith: '\cmd.exe'
        CommandLine: 'cmd.exe /c "ver"'
    condition: selection and not 1 of filter_main_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: Outlook EnableUnsafeClientMailRules Setting Enabled
id: 55f0a3a1-846e-40eb-8273-677371b8d912
related:
    - id: 6763c6c8-bd01-4687-bc8d-4fa52cf8ba08 # Registry variation
      type: similar
status: test
description: Detects an attacker trying to enable the outlook security setting "EnableUnsafeClientMailRules" which allows outlook to run applications or execute macros
references:
    - https://www.fireeye.com/blog/threat-research/2018/12/overruled-containing-a-potentially-destructive-adversary.html
    - https://speakerdeck.com/heirhabarov/hunting-for-persistence-via-microsoft-exchange-server-or-outlook?slide=44
    - https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/how-to-control-the-rule-actions-to-start-an-application-or-run-a-macro-in-outlook-2016-and-outlook-2013-e4964b72-173c-959d-5d7b-ead562979048
author: Markus Neis, Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2018-12-27
modified: 2023-02-09
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1059
    - attack.t1202
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        CommandLine|contains: '\Outlook\Security\EnableUnsafeClientMailRules'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: Potential CobaltStrike Process Patterns
id: f35c5d71-b489-4e22-a115-f003df287317
status: test
description: Detects potential process patterns related to Cobalt Strike beacon activity
references:
    - https://hausec.com/2021/07/26/cobalt-strike-and-tradecraft/
    - https://thedfirreport.com/2021/08/29/cobalt-strike-a-defenders-guide/
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems), Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2021-07-27
modified: 2023-03-29
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.t1059
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_generic_1:
        CommandLine|endswith: 'cmd.exe /C whoami'
        ParentImage|startswith: 'C:\Temp\'
    selection_generic_2:
        ParentImage|endswith:
            - '\runonce.exe'
            - '\dllhost.exe'
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - 'cmd.exe /c echo'
            - '> \\\\.\\pipe'
    selection_conhost_1:
        ParentCommandLine|contains|all:
            - 'cmd.exe /C echo'
            - ' > \\\\.\\pipe'
        CommandLine|endswith: 'conhost.exe 0xffffffff -ForceV1'
    selection_conhost_2:
        ParentCommandLine|endswith: '/C whoami'
        CommandLine|endswith: 'conhost.exe 0xffffffff -ForceV1'
    condition: 1 of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: Renamed NirCmd.EXE Execution
id: 264982dc-dbad-4dce-b707-1e0d3e0f73d9
status: test
description: Detects the execution of a renamed "NirCmd.exe" binary based on the PE metadata fields.
references:
    - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2024/01/17/new-ttps-observed-in-mint-sandstorm-campaign-targeting-high-profile-individuals-at-universities-and-research-orgs/
    - https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/nircmd.html
author: X__Junior (Nextron Systems)
date: 2024-03-11
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1059
    - attack.t1202
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        OriginalFileName: 'NirCmd.exe'
    filter_main_img:
        Image|endswith:
            - '\nircmd.exe'
            - '\nircmdc.exe'
    condition: selection and not 1 of filter_main_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: Suspicious Greedy Compression Using Rar.EXE
id: afe52666-401e-4a02-b4ff-5d128990b8cb
status: test
description: Detects RAR usage that creates an archive from a suspicious folder, either a system folder or one of the folders often used by attackers for staging purposes
references:
    - https://decoded.avast.io/martinchlumecky/png-steganography
author: X__Junior (Nextron Systems), Florian Roth (Nextron Systems)
date: 2022-12-15
modified: 2024-01-02
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.t1059
logsource:
    product: windows
    category: process_creation
detection:
    # Example : rar.exe a -m5 -r -y -ta20210204000000 -hp1qazxcde32ws -v2560k Asia1Dpt-PC-c.rar c:\\*.doc c:\\*.docx c:\\*.xls c:\\*.xlsx c:\\*.pdf c:\\*.ppt c:\\*.pptx c:\\*.jpg c:\\*.txt >nul
    selection_opt_1:
        - Image|endswith: '\rar.exe'
        - Description: 'Command line RAR'
    selection_opt_2:
        CommandLine|contains:
            - '.exe a '
            - ' a -m'
    selection_cli_flags:
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - ' -hp' # password
            - ' -r ' # recursive
    selection_cli_folders:
        CommandLine|contains:
            - ' ?:\\\*.'
            - ' ?:\\\\\*.'
            - ' ?:\$Recycle.bin\'
            - ' ?:\PerfLogs\'
            - ' ?:\Temp'
            - ' ?:\Users\Public\'
            - ' ?:\Windows\'
            - ' %public%'
    condition: 1 of selection_opt_* and all of selection_cli_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: PowerShell Download and Execution Cradles
id: 85b0b087-eddf-4a2b-b033-d771fa2b9775
status: test
description: Detects PowerShell download and execution cradles.
references:
    - https://github.com/VirtualAlllocEx/Payload-Download-Cradles/blob/88e8eca34464a547c90d9140d70e9866dcbc6a12/Download-Cradles.cmd
    - https://labs.withsecure.com/publications/fin7-target-veeam-servers
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems)
date: 2022-03-24
modified: 2025-07-18
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.t1059
logsource:
    product: windows
    category: process_creation
detection:
    selection_download:
        CommandLine|contains:
            - '.DownloadString('
            - '.DownloadFile('
            - 'Invoke-WebRequest '
            - 'iwr '
            - 'Invoke-RestMethod '
            - 'irm '  # powershell -ep bypass -w h -c irm test.domain/ffe | iex
    selection_iex:
        CommandLine|contains:
            - ';iex $'
            - '| IEX'
            - '|IEX '
            - 'I`E`X'
            - 'I`EX'
            - 'IE`X'
            - 'iex '
            - 'IEX ('
            - 'IEX('
            - 'Invoke-Expression'
    condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Some PowerShell installers were seen using similar combinations. Apply filters accordingly
level: high

title: Python Spawning Pretty TTY on Windows
id: 480e7e51-e797-47e3-8d72-ebfce65b6d8d
related:
    - id: 899133d5-4d7c-4a7f-94ee-27355c879d90
      type: derived
status: test
description: Detects python spawning a pretty tty
references:
    - https://www.volexity.com/blog/2022/06/02/zero-day-exploitation-of-atlassian-confluence/
author: Nextron Systems
date: 2022-06-03
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.t1059
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_img:
        Image|endswith:
            - 'python.exe' # no \ bc of e.g. ipython.exe
            - 'python3.exe'
            - 'python2.exe'
    selection_cli_1:
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - 'import pty'
            - '.spawn('
    selection_cli_2:
        CommandLine|contains: 'from pty import spawn'
    condition: selection_img and 1 of selection_cli_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: VMToolsd Suspicious Child Process
id: 5687f942-867b-4578-ade7-1e341c46e99a
status: test
description: Detects suspicious child process creations of VMware Tools process which may indicate persistence setup
references:
    - https://bohops.com/2021/10/08/analyzing-and-detecting-a-vmtools-persistence-technique/
    - https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/61026070/136518004-b68cce7d-f9b8-4e9a-9b7b-53b1568a9a94.png
    - https://github.com/vmware/open-vm-tools/blob/master/open-vm-tools/tools.conf
author: bohops, Bhabesh Raj
date: 2021-10-08
modified: 2023-07-25
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.persistence
    - attack.t1059
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_parent:
        ParentImage|endswith: '\vmtoolsd.exe'
    selection_img:
        - Image|endswith:
              - '\cmd.exe'
              - '\cscript.exe'
              - '\mshta.exe'
              - '\powershell.exe'
              - '\pwsh.exe'
              - '\regsvr32.exe'
              - '\rundll32.exe'
              - '\wscript.exe'
        - OriginalFileName:
              - 'Cmd.Exe'
              - 'cscript.exe'
              - 'MSHTA.EXE'
              - 'PowerShell.EXE'
              - 'pwsh.dll'
              - 'REGSVR32.EXE'
              - 'RUNDLL32.EXE'
              - 'wscript.exe'
    filter_main_vmwaretools_script:
        Image|endswith: '\cmd.exe'
        CommandLine|contains:
            - '\VMware\VMware Tools\poweron-vm-default.bat'
            - '\VMware\VMware Tools\poweroff-vm-default.bat'
            - '\VMware\VMware Tools\resume-vm-default.bat'
            - '\VMware\VMware Tools\suspend-vm-default.bat'
    filter_main_empty:
        Image|endswith: '\cmd.exe'
        CommandLine: ''
    filter_main_null:
        Image|endswith: '\cmd.exe'
        CommandLine: null
    condition: all of selection* and not 1 of filter_main_*
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate use by VM administrator
level: high

title: Abusable DLL Potential Sideloading From Suspicious Location
id: 799a5f48-0ac1-4e0f-9152-71d137d48c2a
status: test
description: Detects potential DLL sideloading of DLLs that are known to be abused from suspicious locations
references:
    - https://www.trendmicro.com/en_us/research/23/f/behind-the-scenes-unveiling-the-hidden-workings-of-earth-preta.html
    - https://research.checkpoint.com/2023/beyond-the-horizon-traveling-the-world-on-camaro-dragons-usb-flash-drives/
author: X__Junior (Nextron Systems)
date: 2023-07-11
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.t1059
logsource:
    category: image_load
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_dll:
        ImageLoaded|endswith:
            # Note: Add more generic DLLs that cannot be pin-pointed to a single application
            - '\coreclr.dll'
            - '\facesdk.dll'
            - '\HPCustPartUI.dll'
            - '\libcef.dll'
            - '\ZIPDLL.dll'
    selection_folders_1:
        ImageLoaded|contains:
            - ':\Perflogs\'
            - ':\Users\Public\'
            - '\Temporary Internet'
            - '\Windows\Temp\'
    selection_folders_2:
        - ImageLoaded|contains|all:
              - ':\Users\'
              - '\Favorites\'
        - ImageLoaded|contains|all:
              - ':\Users\'
              - '\Favourites\'
        - ImageLoaded|contains|all:
              - ':\Users\'
              - '\Contacts\'
        - ImageLoaded|contains|all:
              - ':\Users\'
              - '\Pictures\'
    condition: selection_dll and 1 of selection_folders_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: PCRE.NET Package Image Load
id: 84b0a8f3-680b-4096-a45b-e9a89221727c
status: test
description: Detects processes loading modules related to PCRE.NET package
references:
    - https://twitter.com/rbmaslen/status/1321859647091970051
    - https://twitter.com/tifkin_/status/1321916444557365248
author: Roberto Rodriguez (Cyb3rWard0g), OTR (Open Threat Research)
date: 2020-10-29
modified: 2022-10-09
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.t1059
logsource:
    category: image_load
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        ImageLoaded|contains: \AppData\Local\Temp\ba9ea7344a4a5f591d6e5dc32a13494b\
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: Hacktool Ruler
id: 24549159-ac1b-479c-8175-d42aea947cae
status: test
description: This events that are generated when using the hacktool Ruler by Sensepost
references:
    - https://github.com/sensepost/ruler
    - https://github.com/sensepost/ruler/issues/47
    - https://github.com/staaldraad/go-ntlm/blob/cd032d41aa8ce5751c07cb7945400c0f5c81e2eb/ntlm/ntlmv1.go#L427
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-10/security/threat-protection/auditing/event-4776
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-10/security/threat-protection/auditing/event-4624
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems)
date: 2017-05-31
modified: 2022-10-09
tags:
    - attack.discovery
    - attack.execution
    - attack.collection
    - attack.lateral-movement
    - attack.t1087
    - attack.t1114
    - attack.t1059
    - attack.t1550.002
logsource:
    product: windows
    service: security
detection:
    selection1:
        EventID: 4776
        Workstation: 'RULER'
    selection2:
        EventID:
            - 4624
            - 4625
        WorkstationName: 'RULER'
    condition: (1 of selection*)
falsepositives:
    - Go utilities that use staaldraad awesome NTLM library
level: high

title: Windows Defender Threat Detected
id: 57b649ef-ff42-4fb0-8bf6-62da243a1708
status: stable
description: Detects actions taken by Windows Defender malware detection engines
references:
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/defender-endpoint/troubleshoot-microsoft-defender-antivirus
author: Ján Trenčanský
date: 2020-07-28
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.t1059
logsource:
    product: windows
    service: windefend
detection:
    selection:
        EventID:
            - 1006 # The antimalware engine found malware or other potentially unwanted software.
            - 1015 # The antimalware platform detected suspicious behavior.
            - 1116 # The antimalware platform detected malware or other potentially unwanted software.
            - 1117 # he antimalware platform performed an action to protect your system from malware or other potentially unwanted software.
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Unlikely
level: high

title: Windows Defender AMSI Trigger Detected
id: ea9bf0fa-edec-4fb8-8b78-b119f2528186
status: stable
description: Detects triggering of AMSI by Windows Defender.
references:
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/amsi/how-amsi-helps
author: Bhabesh Raj
date: 2020-09-14
modified: 2022-12-07
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.t1059
logsource:
    product: windows
    service: windefend
detection:
    selection:
        EventID: 1116 # The antimalware platform detected malware or other potentially unwanted software.
        SourceName: 'AMSI'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Unlikely
level: high

title: JXA In-memory Execution Via OSAScript
id: f1408a58-0e94-4165-b80a-da9f96cf6fc3
related:
    - id: 1bc2e6c5-0885-472b-bed6-be5ea8eace55
      type: derived
status: test
description: Detects possible malicious execution of JXA in-memory via OSAScript
references:
    - https://redcanary.com/blog/applescript/
author: Sohan G (D4rkCiph3r)
date: 2023-01-31
tags:
    - attack.t1059.002
    - attack.t1059.007
    - attack.execution
logsource:
    product: macos
    category: process_creation
detection:
    selection_main:
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - 'osascript'
            - ' -e '
            - 'eval'
            - 'NSData.dataWithContentsOfURL'
    selection_js:
        - CommandLine|contains|all:
              - ' -l '
              - 'JavaScript'
        - CommandLine|contains: '.js'
    condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: Adwind RAT / JRAT File Artifact
id: 0bcfabcb-7929-47f4-93d6-b33fb67d34d1
related:
    - id: 1fac1481-2dbc-48b2-9096-753c49b4ec71
      type: derived
status: test
description: Detects javaw.exe in AppData folder as used by Adwind / JRAT
references:
    - https://www.hybrid-analysis.com/sample/ba86fa0d4b6af2db0656a88b1dd29f36fe362473ae8ad04255c4e52f214a541c?environmentId=100
    - https://www.first.org/resources/papers/conf2017/Advanced-Incident-Detection-and-Threat-Hunting-using-Sysmon-and-Splunk.pdf
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems), Tom Ueltschi, Jonhnathan Ribeiro, oscd.community
date: 2017-11-10
modified: 2022-12-02
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.t1059.005
    - attack.t1059.007
logsource:
    category: file_event
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        - TargetFilename|contains|all:
              - '\AppData\Roaming\Oracle\bin\java'
              - '.exe'
        - TargetFilename|contains|all:
              - '\Retrive'
              - '.vbs'
    condition: selection
level: high

title: WScript or CScript Dropper - File
id: 002bdb95-0cf1-46a6-9e08-d38c128a6127
related:
    - id: cea72823-df4d-4567-950c-0b579eaf0846
      type: derived
status: test
description: Detects a file ending in jse, vbe, js, vba, vbs, wsf, wsh written by cscript.exe or wscript.exe
references:
    - WScript or CScript Dropper (cea72823-df4d-4567-950c-0b579eaf0846)
author: Tim Shelton
date: 2022-01-10
modified: 2026-02-17
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.t1059.005
    - attack.t1059.007
logsource:
    category: file_event
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        Image|endswith:
            - '\wscript.exe'
            - '\cscript.exe'
        TargetFilename|contains:
            - ':\Perflogs\'
            - ':\ProgramData\'
            - ':\Temp\'
            - ':\Tmp\'
            - ':\Users\'
            - ':\Windows\Temp\'
            - '\AppData\Local\Temp'
            - '\AppData\Roaming\Temp'
            - '\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\'
            - '\Temporary Internet'
        TargetFilename|endswith:
            - '.js'
            - '.jse'
            - '.vba'
            - '.vbe'
            - '.vbs'
            - '.wsf'
            - '.wsh'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: HackTool - CACTUSTORCH Remote Thread Creation
id: 2e4e488a-6164-4811-9ea1-f960c7359c40
status: test
description: Detects remote thread creation from CACTUSTORCH as described in references.
references:
    - https://twitter.com/SBousseaden/status/1090588499517079552 # Deleted
    - https://github.com/mdsecactivebreach/CACTUSTORCH
author: '@SBousseaden (detection), Thomas Patzke (rule)'
date: 2019-02-01
modified: 2023-05-05
tags:
    - attack.privilege-escalation
    - attack.execution
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1055.012
    - attack.t1059.005
    - attack.t1059.007
    - attack.t1218.005
logsource:
    product: windows
    category: create_remote_thread
detection:
    selection:
        SourceImage|endswith:
            - '\System32\cscript.exe'
            - '\System32\wscript.exe'
            - '\System32\mshta.exe'
            - '\winword.exe'
            - '\excel.exe'
        TargetImage|contains: '\SysWOW64\'
        StartModule: null
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: Cscript/Wscript Uncommon Script Extension Execution
id: 99b7460d-c9f1-40d7-a316-1f36f61d52ee
status: test
description: Detects Wscript/Cscript executing a file with an uncommon (i.e. non-script) extension
references:
    - Internal Research
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2023-05-15
modified: 2023-06-19
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.t1059.005
    - attack.t1059.007
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_img:
        - OriginalFileName:
              - 'wscript.exe'
              - 'cscript.exe'
        - Image|endswith:
              - '\wscript.exe'
              - '\cscript.exe'
    selection_extension:
        CommandLine|contains:
            # Note: add additional potential suspicious extension
            # We could specify the "//E:" flag to avoid typos by admin. But since that's prone to blind spots via the creation of assoc it's better not to include it
            - '.csv'
            - '.dat'
            - '.doc'
            - '.gif'
            - '.jpeg'
            - '.jpg'
            - '.png'
            - '.ppt'
            - '.txt'
            - '.xls'
            - '.xml'
    condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: Suspicious HH.EXE Execution
id: e8a95b5e-c891-46e2-b33a-93937d3abc31
status: test
description: Detects a suspicious execution of a Microsoft HTML Help (HH.exe)
references:
    - https://www.trustwave.com/en-us/resources/blogs/spiderlabs-blog/chm-badness-delivers-a-banking-trojan/
    - https://github.com/elastic/protections-artifacts/commit/746086721fd385d9f5c6647cada1788db4aea95f#diff-27939090904026cc396b0b629c8e4314acd6f5dac40a676edbc87f4567b47eb7
    - https://www.ptsecurity.com/ww-en/analytics/pt-esc-threat-intelligence/higaisa-or-winnti-apt-41-backdoors-old-and-new/
    - https://www.zscaler.com/blogs/security-research/unintentional-leak-glimpse-attack-vectors-apt37
author: Maxim Pavlunin
date: 2020-04-01
modified: 2023-04-12
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.initial-access
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1047
    - attack.t1059.001
    - attack.t1059.003
    - attack.t1059.005
    - attack.t1059.007
    - attack.t1218
    - attack.t1218.001
    - attack.t1218.010
    - attack.t1218.011
    - attack.t1566
    - attack.t1566.001
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_img:
        - OriginalFileName: 'HH.exe'
        - Image|endswith: '\hh.exe'
    selection_paths:
        CommandLine|contains:
            - '.application'
            - '\AppData\Local\Temp\'
            - '\Content.Outlook\'
            - '\Downloads\'
            - '\Users\Public\'
            - '\Windows\Temp\'
            # - '\AppData\Local\Temp\Temp?_'
            # - '\AppData\Local\Temp\Rar$'
            # - '\AppData\Local\Temp\7z'
            # - '\AppData\Local\Temp\wz'
            # - '\AppData\Local\Temp\peazip-tmp'
    condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: HackTool - Koadic Execution
id: 5cddf373-ef00-4112-ad72-960ac29bac34
status: test
description: Detects command line parameters used by Koadic hack tool
references:
    - https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42-sofacy-groups-parallel-attacks/
    - https://github.com/offsecginger/koadic/blob/457f9a3ff394c989cdb4c599ab90eb34fb2c762c/data/stager/js/stdlib.js
    - https://blog.f-secure.com/hunting-for-koadic-a-com-based-rootkit/
author: wagga, Jonhnathan Ribeiro, oscd.community
date: 2020-01-12
modified: 2023-02-11
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.t1059.003
    - attack.t1059.005
    - attack.t1059.007
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_img:
        - Image|endswith: '\cmd.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'Cmd.Exe'
    selection_cli:
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - '/q'
            - '/c'
            - 'chcp'
    condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: Csc.EXE Execution Form Potentially Suspicious Parent
id: b730a276-6b63-41b8-bcf8-55930c8fc6ee
status: test
description: Detects a potentially suspicious parent of "csc.exe", which could be a sign of payload delivery.
references:
    - https://www.uptycs.com/blog/warzonerat-can-now-evade-with-process-hollowing
    - https://reaqta.com/2017/11/short-journey-darkvnc/
    - https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/issues/cybersecurity/cyber-threat-intelligence/yellow-liderc-ships-its-scripts-delivers-imaploader-malware.html
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems), Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), X__Junior (Nextron Systems)
date: 2019-02-11
modified: 2026-03-23
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1059.005
    - attack.t1059.007
    - attack.t1218.005
    - attack.t1027.004
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_img:
        - Image|endswith: '\csc.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'csc.exe'
    selection_parent_generic:
        ParentImage|endswith:
            - '\cscript.exe'
            - '\excel.exe'
            - '\mshta.exe'
            - '\onenote.exe'
            - '\outlook.exe'
            - '\powerpnt.exe'
            - '\winword.exe'
            - '\wscript.exe'
    selection_parent_powershell:
        ParentImage|endswith:
            - '\powershell.exe'
            - '\pwsh.exe'
        ParentCommandLine|contains:
            - '-Encoded '
            - 'FromBase64String'
    selection_parent_susp_location:
        - ParentCommandLine|re: '(?:[Pp]rogram[Dd]ata|%(?:[Ll]ocal)?[Aa]pp[Dd]ata%|\\[Aa]pp[Dd]ata\\(?:[Ll]ocal(?:[Ll]ow)?|[Rr]oaming))\\[^\\]{1,256}$'
        - ParentCommandLine|contains:
              - ':\PerfLogs\'
              - ':\Users\Public\'
              - ':\Windows\Temp\'
              - '\Temporary Internet'
        - ParentCommandLine|contains|all:
              - ':\Users\'
              - '\Favorites\'
        - ParentCommandLine|contains|all:
              - ':\Users\'
              - '\Favourites\'
        - ParentCommandLine|contains|all:
              - ':\Users\'
              - '\Contacts\'
        - ParentCommandLine|contains|all:
              - ':\Users\'
              - '\Pictures\'
    filter_main_programfiles:
        # Note: this is a generic filter. You could baseline execution in your env for a more robust rule
        ParentImage|startswith:
            - 'C:\Program Files (x86)\' # https://twitter.com/gN3mes1s/status/1206874118282448897
            - 'C:\Program Files\' # https://twitter.com/gN3mes1s/status/1206874118282448897
    filter_main_sdiagnhost:
        ParentImage: 'C:\Windows\System32\sdiagnhost.exe' # https://twitter.com/gN3mes1s/status/1206874118282448897
    filter_main_w3p:
        ParentImage: 'C:\Windows\System32\inetsrv\w3wp.exe' # https://twitter.com/gabriele_pippi/status/1206907900268072962
    filter_optional_chocolatey:
        ParentImage: 'C:\ProgramData\chocolatey\choco.exe' # Chocolatey https://chocolatey.org/
    filter_optional_defender:
        ParentCommandLine|contains: '\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection'
    filter_optional_ansible:
        # Note: As ansible is widely used we exclude it with this generic filter.
        # A better option would be to filter based on script content basis or other marker while hunting
        ParentCommandLine|contains:
            # '{"failed":true,"msg":"Ansible requires PowerShell v3.0 or newer"}'
            - 'JwB7ACIAZgBhAGkAbABlAGQAIgA6AHQAcgB1AGUALAAiAG0AcwBnACIAOgAiAEEAbgBzAGkAYgBsAGUAIAByAGUAcQB1AGkAcgBlAHMAIABQAG8AdwBlAHIAUwBoAGUAbABsACAAdgAzAC4AMAAgAG8AcgAgAG4AZQB3AGUAcgAiAH0AJw'
            - 'cAewAiAGYAYQBpAGwAZQBkACIAOgB0AHIAdQBlACwAIgBtAHMAZwAiADoAIgBBAG4AcwBpAGIAbABlACAAcgBlAHEAdQBpAHIAZQBzACAAUABvAHcAZQByAFMAaABlAGwAbAAgAHYAMwAuADAAIABvAHIAIABuAGUAdwBlAHIAIgB9ACcA'
            - 'nAHsAIgBmAGEAaQBsAGUAZAAiADoAdAByAHUAZQAsACIAbQBzAGcAIgA6ACIAQQBuAHMAaQBiAGwAZQAgAHIAZQBxAHUAaQByAGUAcwAgAFAAbwB3AGUAcgBTAGgAZQBsAGwAIAB2ADMALgAwACAAbwByACAAbgBlAHcAZQByACIAfQAnA'
    condition: selection_img and 1 of selection_parent_* and not 1 of filter_main_* and not 1 of filter_optional_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: HTML Help HH.EXE Suspicious Child Process
id: 52cad028-0ff0-4854-8f67-d25dfcbc78b4
status: test
description: Detects a suspicious child process of a Microsoft HTML Help (HH.exe)
references:
    - https://www.trustwave.com/en-us/resources/blogs/spiderlabs-blog/chm-badness-delivers-a-banking-trojan/
    - https://github.com/elastic/protections-artifacts/commit/746086721fd385d9f5c6647cada1788db4aea95f#diff-27939090904026cc396b0b629c8e4314acd6f5dac40a676edbc87f4567b47eb7
    - https://www.ptsecurity.com/ww-en/analytics/pt-esc-threat-intelligence/higaisa-or-winnti-apt-41-backdoors-old-and-new/
    - https://www.zscaler.com/blogs/security-research/unintentional-leak-glimpse-attack-vectors-apt37
author: Maxim Pavlunin, Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2020-04-01
modified: 2023-04-12
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.initial-access
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1047
    - attack.t1059.001
    - attack.t1059.003
    - attack.t1059.005
    - attack.t1059.007
    - attack.t1218
    - attack.t1218.001
    - attack.t1218.010
    - attack.t1218.011
    - attack.t1566
    - attack.t1566.001
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        ParentImage|endswith: '\hh.exe'
        Image|endswith:
            - '\CertReq.exe'
            - '\CertUtil.exe'
            - '\cmd.exe'
            - '\cscript.exe'
            - '\installutil.exe'
            - '\MSbuild.exe'
            - '\MSHTA.EXE'
            - '\msiexec.exe'
            - '\powershell.exe'
            - '\pwsh.exe'
            - '\regsvr32.exe'
            - '\rundll32.exe'
            - '\schtasks.exe'
            - '\wmic.exe'
            - '\wscript.exe'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: Potential Remote SquiblyTwo Technique Execution
id: 8d63dadf-b91b-4187-87b6-34a1114577ea
related:
    - id: 06ce37c2-61ab-4f05-9ff5-b1a96d18ae32
      type: similar
    - id: 05c36dd6-79d6-4a9a-97da-3db20298ab2d
      type: similar
status: test
description: |
    Detects potential execution of the SquiblyTwo technique that leverages Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI)
    to execute malicious code remotely. This technique bypasses application whitelisting by using wmic.exe to process
    malicious XSL (eXtensible Stylesheet Language) scripts that can contain embedded JScript or VBScript.
    The attack typically works by fetching XSL content from a remote source (using HTTP/HTTPS) and executing it
    with full trust privileges directly in memory, avoiding disk-based detection mechanisms. This is a common
    LOLBin (Living Off The Land Binary) technique used for defense evasion and code execution.
references:
    - https://web.archive.org/web/20190209154607/https://subt0x11.blogspot.com/2018/04/wmicexe-whitelisting-bypass-hacking.html
    - https://twitter.com/mattifestation/status/986280382042595328 # Deleted
    - https://atomicredteam.io/defense-evasion/T1220/
    - https://lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/Binaries/Wmic/
    - https://x.com/byrne_emmy12099/status/1932346420226658668
author: Markus Neis, Florian Roth, Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel (Nextron Systems)
date: 2019-01-16
modified: 2026-01-24
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1047
    - attack.t1220
    - attack.execution
    - attack.t1059.005
    - attack.t1059.007
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_pe:
        - Image|endswith: '\wmic.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'wmic.exe'
        - Hashes|contains:  # Sysmon field hashes contains all types
              - 'IMPHASH=1B1A3F43BF37B5BFE60751F2EE2F326E'
              - 'IMPHASH=37777A96245A3C74EB217308F3546F4C'
              - 'IMPHASH=9D87C9D67CE724033C0B40CC4CA1B206'
              - 'IMPHASH=B12619881D79C3ACADF45E752A58554A'
              - 'IMPHASH=16A48C3CABF98A9DC1BF02C07FE1EA00'
    selection_cli:
        CommandLine|contains|windash: '/format:'
        CommandLine|contains:
            - '://'
            - '\\\\'
    condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: MSHTA Execution with Suspicious File Extensions
id: cc7abbd0-762b-41e3-8a26-57ad50d2eea3
status: test
description: |
    Detects execution of mshta.exe with file types that looks like they do not typically represent HTA (HTML Application) content,
    such as .png, .jpg, .zip, .pdf, and others, which are often polyglots. MSHTA is a legitimate Windows utility for executing HTML Applications
    containing VBScript or JScript. Threat actors often abuse this lolbin utility to download and
    execute malicious scripts disguised as benign files or hosted under misleading extensions to evade detection.
references:
    - http://blog.sevagas.com/?Hacking-around-HTA-files
    - https://0x00sec.org/t/clientside-exploitation-in-2018-how-pentesting-has-changed/7356
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/dotnet/framework/data/xml/xslt/xslt-stylesheet-scripting-using-msxsl-script
    - https://medium.com/tsscyber/pentesting-and-hta-bypassing-powershell-constrained-language-mode-53a42856c997
    - https://twitter.com/mattifestation/status/1326228491302563846
    - https://www.virustotal.com/gui/file/c1f27d9795a2eba630db8a043580a0761798f06370fb1317067805f8a845b00c
author: Diego Perez (@darkquassar), Markus Neis, Swisscom (Improve Rule), Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel (Nextron Systems)
date: 2019-02-22
modified: 2025-05-12
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1140
    - attack.t1218.005
    - attack.execution
    - attack.t1059.007
    - cve.2020-1599
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_img:
        - Image|endswith: '\mshta.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'mshta.exe'
    selection_cli:
        CommandLine|contains:
            - '.7z'
            - '.avi'
            - '.bat'
            - '.bmp'
            - '.conf'
            - '.csv'
            - '.dll'
            - '.doc'
            - '.gif'
            - '.gz'
            - '.ini'
            - '.jpe'
            - '.jpg'
            - '.json'
            - '.lnk'
            - '.log'
            - '.mkv'
            - '.mp3'
            - '.mp4'
            - '.pdf'
            - '.png'
            - '.ppt'
            - '.rar'
            - '.rtf'
            - '.svg'
            - '.tar'
            - '.tmp'
            - '.txt'
            - '.xls'
            - '.xml'
            - '.yaml'
            - '.yml'
            - '.zip'
            - 'vbscript'
            # - '.chm'  # could be prone to false positives
            # - '.exe'
    condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - False positives depend on scripts and administrative tools used in the monitored environment
level: high

title: Disable of ETW Trace - Powershell
id: 115fdba9-f017-42e6-84cf-d5573bf2ddf8
related:
    - id: a238b5d0-ce2d-4414-a676-7a531b3d13d6
      type: derived
status: test
description: Detects usage of powershell cmdlets to disable or remove ETW trace sessions
references:
    - https://medium.com/palantir/tampering-with-windows-event-tracing-background-offense-and-defense-4be7ac62ac63
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2022-06-28
modified: 2022-11-25
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.defense-impairment
    - attack.t1070
    - attack.t1685
    - car.2016-04-002
logsource:
    product: windows
    category: ps_script
    definition: 'Requirements: Script Block Logging must be enabled'
detection:
    selection_pwsh_remove:   # Autologger provider removal
        ScriptBlockText|contains: 'Remove-EtwTraceProvider '
    selection_pwsh_set:   # Provider “Enable” property modification
        ScriptBlockText|contains|all:
            - 'Set-EtwTraceProvider '
            - '0x11'
    condition: 1 of selection*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: Clearing Windows Console History
id: bde47d4b-9987-405c-94c7-b080410e8ea7
status: test
description: Identifies when a user attempts to clear console history. An adversary may clear the command history of a compromised account to conceal the actions undertaken during an intrusion.
references:
    - https://stefanos.cloud/blog/kb/how-to-clear-the-powershell-command-history/
    - https://www.shellhacks.com/clear-history-powershell/
    - https://community.sophos.com/sophos-labs/b/blog/posts/powershell-command-history-forensics
author: Austin Songer @austinsonger
date: 2021-11-25
modified: 2022-12-25
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1070
    - attack.t1070.003
logsource:
    product: windows
    category: ps_script
    definition: 'Requirements: Script Block Logging must be enabled'
detection:
    selection1:
        ScriptBlockText|contains: Clear-History
    selection2a:
        ScriptBlockText|contains:
            - Remove-Item
            - rm
    selection2b:
        ScriptBlockText|contains:
            - ConsoleHost_history.txt
            - (Get-PSReadlineOption).HistorySavePath
    condition: selection1 or selection2a and selection2b
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: Exchange PowerShell Cmdlet History Deleted
id: a55349d8-9588-4c5a-8e3b-1925fe2a4ffe
status: test
description: Detects the deletion of the Exchange PowerShell cmdlet History logs which may indicate an attempt to destroy forensic evidence
references:
    - https://m365internals.com/2022/10/07/hunting-in-on-premises-exchange-server-logs/
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2022-10-26
modified: 2022-12-30
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1070
logsource:
    category: file_delete
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        TargetFilename|startswith: '\Logging\CmdletInfra\LocalPowerShell\Cmdlet\'
        TargetFilename|contains: '_Cmdlet_'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Possible FP during log rotation
level: high

title: Fsutil Suspicious Invocation
id: add64136-62e5-48ea-807e-88638d02df1e
status: stable
description: |
  Detects suspicious parameters of fsutil (deleting USN journal, configuring it with small size, etc).
  Might be used by ransomwares during the attack (seen by NotPetya and others).
references:
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/fsutil-usn
    - https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1070/T1070.md
    - https://eqllib.readthedocs.io/en/latest/analytics/c91f422a-5214-4b17-8664-c5fcf115c0a2.html
    - https://github.com/albertzsigovits/malware-notes/blob/558898932c1579ff589290092a2c8febefc3a4c9/Ransomware/Lockbit.md
    - https://blog.cluster25.duskrise.com/2023/05/22/back-in-black-blackbyte-nt
author: Ecco, E.M. Anhaus, oscd.community
date: 2019-09-26
modified: 2023-09-09
tags:
    - attack.impact
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1070
    - attack.t1485
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_img:
        - Image|endswith: '\fsutil.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'fsutil.exe'
    selection_cli:
        CommandLine|contains:
            - 'deletejournal'        # usn deletejournal ==> generally ransomware or attacker
            - 'createjournal'        # usn createjournal ==> can modify config to set it to a tiny size
            - 'setZeroData'          # file setZeroData  ==> empties a file with zeroes
    condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Admin activity
    - Scripts and administrative tools used in the monitored environment
level: high

title: Shadow Copies Deletion Using Operating Systems Utilities
id: c947b146-0abc-4c87-9c64-b17e9d7274a2
status: stable
description: Shadow Copies deletion using operating systems utilities
references:
    - https://www.slideshare.net/heirhabarov/hunting-for-credentials-dumping-in-windows-environment
    - https://blog.talosintelligence.com/2017/05/wannacry.html
    - https://securingtomorrow.mcafee.com/other-blogs/mcafee-labs/new-teslacrypt-ransomware-arrives-via-spam/
    - https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/why-everyone-should-disable-vssadmin-exe-now/
    - https://www.hybrid-analysis.com/sample/ed01ebfbc9eb5bbea545af4d01bf5f1071661840480439c6e5babe8e080e41aa?environmentId=100
    - https://github.com/Neo23x0/Raccine#the-process
    - https://github.com/Neo23x0/Raccine/blob/20a569fa21625086433dcce8bb2765d0ea08dcb6/yara/gen_ransomware_command_lines.yar
    - https://redcanary.com/blog/intelligence-insights-october-2021/
    - https://symantec-enterprise-blogs.security.com/blogs/threat-intelligence/blackbyte-exbyte-ransomware
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems), Michael Haag, Teymur Kheirkhabarov, Daniil Yugoslavskiy, oscd.community, Andreas Hunkeler (@Karneades)
date: 2019-10-22
modified: 2022-11-03
tags:
    - attack.impact
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1070
    - attack.t1490
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection1_img:
        - Image|endswith:
              - '\powershell.exe'
              - '\pwsh.exe'
              - '\wmic.exe'
              - '\vssadmin.exe'
              - '\diskshadow.exe'
        - OriginalFileName:
              - 'PowerShell.EXE'
              - 'pwsh.dll'
              - 'wmic.exe'
              - 'VSSADMIN.EXE'
              - 'diskshadow.exe'
    selection1_cli:
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - 'shadow'  # will match "delete shadows" and "shadowcopy delete" and "shadowstorage"
            - 'delete'
    selection2_img:
        - Image|endswith: '\wbadmin.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'WBADMIN.EXE'
    selection2_cli:
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - 'delete'
            - 'catalog'
            - 'quiet' # will match -quiet or /quiet
    selection3_img:
        - Image|endswith: '\vssadmin.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'VSSADMIN.EXE'
    selection3_cli:
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - 'resize'
            - 'shadowstorage'
        CommandLine|contains:
            - 'unbounded'
            - '/MaxSize='
    condition: (all of selection1*) or (all of selection2*) or (all of selection3*)
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate Administrator deletes Shadow Copies using operating systems utilities for legitimate reason
    - LANDesk LDClient Ivanti-PSModule (PS EncodedCommand)
level: high

title: ETW Trace Evasion Activity
id: a238b5d0-ce2d-4414-a676-7a531b3d13d6
status: test
description: |
    Detects command line activity that tries to clear or disable any ETW trace log which could be a sign of logging evasion.
references:
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/wevtutil
    - https://abuse.io/lockergoga.txt
    - https://medium.com/palantir/tampering-with-windows-event-tracing-background-offense-and-defense-4be7ac62ac63
author: '@neu5ron, Florian Roth (Nextron Systems), Jonhnathan Ribeiro, oscd.community'
date: 2019-03-22
modified: 2022-06-28
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.defense-impairment
    - attack.t1070
    - attack.t1685
    - car.2016-04-002
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_clear_1:
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - 'cl'
            - '/Trace'
    selection_clear_2:
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - 'clear-log'
            - '/Trace'
    selection_disable_1:
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - 'sl'
            - '/e:false'
    selection_disable_2:
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - 'set-log'
            - '/e:false'
    selection_disable_3:   # ETW provider removal from a trace session
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - 'logman'
            - 'update'
            - 'trace'
            - '--p'
            - '-ets'
    selection_pwsh_remove:   # Autologger provider removal
        CommandLine|contains: 'Remove-EtwTraceProvider'
    selection_pwsh_set:   # Provider “Enable” property modification
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - 'Set-EtwTraceProvider'
            - '0x11'
    condition: 1 of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: Sysmon Driver Unloaded Via Fltmc.EXE
id: 4d7cda18-1b12-4e52-b45c-d28653210df8
related:
    - id: 4931188c-178e-4ee7-a348-39e8a7a56821 # Generic
      type: similar
status: test
description: Detects possible Sysmon filter driver unloaded via fltmc.exe
references:
    - https://www.darkoperator.com/blog/2018/10/5/operating-offensively-against-sysmon
author: Kirill Kiryanov, oscd.community
date: 2019-10-23
modified: 2023-02-13
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.defense-impairment
    - attack.t1070
    - attack.t1685
    - attack.t1685.001
logsource:
    product: windows
    category: process_creation
detection:
    selection_img:
        - Image|endswith: '\fltMC.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'fltMC.exe'
    selection_cli:
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - 'unload'
            - 'sysmon'
    condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Unlikely
level: high

title: Remove Exported Mailbox from Exchange Webserver
id: 09570ae5-889e-43ea-aac0-0e1221fb3d95
status: test
description: Detects removal of an exported Exchange mailbox which could be to cover tracks from ProxyShell exploit
references:
    - https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/1416b5776d963f21b7b5b45d19f3e961201e0aed/modules/exploits/windows/http/exchange_proxyshell_rce.rb#L430
author: Christian Burkard (Nextron Systems)
date: 2021-08-27
modified: 2023-01-23
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1070
logsource:
    service: msexchange-management
    product: windows
detection:
    keywords:
        '|all':
            - 'Remove-MailboxExportRequest'
            - ' -Identity '
            - ' -Confirm "False"'
    condition: keywords
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: Terminal Server Client Connection History Cleared - Registry
id: 07bdd2f5-9c58-4f38-aec8-e101bb79ef8d
status: test
description: Detects the deletion of registry keys containing the MSTSC connection history
references:
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-server/remote/remove-entries-from-remote-desktop-connection-computer
    - http://woshub.com/how-to-clear-rdp-connections-history/
    - https://www.trendmicro.com/en_us/research/23/a/vice-society-ransomware-group-targets-manufacturing-companies.html
author: Christian Burkard (Nextron Systems)
date: 2021-10-19
modified: 2023-02-08
tags:
    - attack.persistence
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.defense-impairment
    - attack.t1070
    - attack.t1112
logsource:
    category: registry_delete
    product: windows
detection:
    selection1:
        EventType: DeleteValue
        TargetObject|contains: '\Microsoft\Terminal Server Client\Default\MRU'
    selection2:
        EventType: DeleteKey
        TargetObject|contains: '\Microsoft\Terminal Server Client\Servers\'
    condition: 1 of selection*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: HackTool - SILENTTRINITY Stager Execution
id: 03552375-cc2c-4883-bbe4-7958d5a980be
related:
    - id: 75c505b1-711d-4f68-a357-8c3fe37dbf2d # DLL Load
      type: derived
status: test
description: Detects SILENTTRINITY stager use via PE metadata
references:
    - https://github.com/byt3bl33d3r/SILENTTRINITY
author: Aleksey Potapov, oscd.community
date: 2019-10-22
modified: 2023-02-13
tags:
    - attack.command-and-control
    - attack.t1071
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        Description|contains: 'st2stager'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Unlikely
level: high

title: HackTool - SILENTTRINITY Stager DLL Load
id: 75c505b1-711d-4f68-a357-8c3fe37dbf2d
related:
    - id: 03552375-cc2c-4883-bbe4-7958d5a980be # Process Creation
      type: derived
status: test
description: Detects SILENTTRINITY stager dll loading activity
references:
    - https://github.com/byt3bl33d3r/SILENTTRINITY
author: Aleksey Potapov, oscd.community
date: 2019-10-22
modified: 2023-02-17
tags:
    - attack.command-and-control
    - attack.t1071
logsource:
    category: image_load
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        Description|contains: 'st2stager'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Unlikely
level: high

title: Wannacry Killswitch Domain
id: 3eaf6218-3bed-4d8a-8707-274096f12a18
status: test
description: Detects wannacry killswitch domain dns queries
references:
    - https://www.mandiant.com/resources/blog/wannacry-ransomware-campaign
author: Mike Wade
date: 2020-09-16
modified: 2022-03-24
tags:
    - attack.command-and-control
    - attack.t1071.001
logsource:
    category: dns
detection:
    selection:
        query:
            - 'ifferfsodp9ifjaposdfjhgosurijfaewrwergwea.testing'
            - 'ifferfsodp9ifjaposdfjhgosurijfaewrwergwea.test'
            - 'ifferfsodp9ifjaposdfjhgosurijfaewrwergwea.com'
            - 'ayylmaotjhsstasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdf.com'
            - 'iuqssfsodp9ifjaposdfjhgosurijfaewrwergwea.com'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Analyst testing
level: high

title: Outbound Network Connection Initiated By Microsoft Dialer
id: 37e4024a-6c80-4d8f-b95d-2e7e94f3a8d1
status: test
description: |
    Detects outbound network connection initiated by Microsoft Dialer.
    The Microsoft Dialer, also known as Phone Dialer, is a built-in utility application included in various versions of the Microsoft Windows operating system. Its primary function is to provide users with a graphical interface for managing phone calls via a modem or a phone line connected to the computer.
    This is an outdated process in the current conext of it's usage and is a common target for info stealers for process injection, and is used to make C2 connections, common example is "Rhadamanthys"
references:
    - https://tria.ge/240301-rk34sagf5x/behavioral2
    - https://app.any.run/tasks/6720b85b-9c53-4a12-b1dc-73052a78477d
    - https://research.checkpoint.com/2023/rhadamanthys-v0-5-0-a-deep-dive-into-the-stealers-components/
    - https://strontic.github.io/xcyclopedia/library/dialer.exe-0B69655F912619756C704A0BF716B61F.html
author: CertainlyP
date: 2024-04-26
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.command-and-control
    - attack.t1071.001
logsource:
    category: network_connection
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        Image|endswith: ':\Windows\System32\dialer.exe'
        Initiated: 'true'
    filter_main_local_ranges:
        DestinationIp|cidr:
            - '127.0.0.0/8'
            - '10.0.0.0/8'
            - '172.16.0.0/12'
            - '192.168.0.0/16'
            - '169.254.0.0/16'
            - '::1/128'  # IPv6 loopback
            - 'fe80::/10'  # IPv6 link-local addresses
            - 'fc00::/7'  # IPv6 private addresses
    condition: selection and not 1 of filter_main_*
falsepositives:
    - In Modern Windows systems, unable to see legitimate usage of this process, However, if an organization has legitimate purpose for this there can be false positives.
level: high

title: Renamed Visual Studio Code Tunnel Execution
id: 2cf29f11-e356-4f61-98c0-1bdb9393d6da
status: test
description: Detects renamed Visual Studio Code tunnel execution. Attackers can abuse this functionality to establish a C2 channel
references:
    - https://ipfyx.fr/post/visual-studio-code-tunnel/
    - https://badoption.eu/blog/2023/01/31/code_c2.html
    - https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/remote/tunnels
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2023-09-28
modified: 2025-10-29
tags:
    - attack.command-and-control
    - attack.t1071.001
    - attack.t1219
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_image_only_tunnel:
        OriginalFileName: null
        CommandLine|endswith: '.exe tunnel'
    selection_image_tunnel_args:
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - '.exe tunnel'
            - '--accept-server-license-terms'
    selection_image_tunnel_service:
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - 'tunnel '
            - 'service'
            - 'internal-run'
            - 'tunnel-service.log'
    selection_parent_tunnel:
        ParentCommandLine|endswith: ' tunnel'
        Image|endswith: '\cmd.exe'
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - '/d /c '
            - '\servers\Stable-'
            - 'code-server.cmd'
    filter_main_parent_code:
        ParentImage|endswith:
            - '\code-tunnel.exe'
            - '\code.exe'
    filter_main_image_code:
        Image|endswith:
            - '\code-tunnel.exe'
            - '\code.exe'
    condition: (1 of selection_image_* and not 1 of filter_main_image_*) or (selection_parent_tunnel and not 1 of filter_main_parent_*)
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: Bitsadmin to Uncommon TLD
id: 9eb68894-7476-4cd6-8752-23b51f5883a7
status: test
description: Detects Bitsadmin connections to domains with uncommon TLDs
references:
    - https://twitter.com/jhencinski/status/1102695118455349248
    - https://isc.sans.edu/forums/diary/Investigating+Microsoft+BITS+Activity/23281/
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems), Tim Shelton
date: 2019-03-07
modified: 2023-05-17
tags:
    - attack.command-and-control
    - attack.execution
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1071.001
    - attack.persistence
    - attack.t1197
    - attack.s0190
logsource:
    category: proxy
detection:
    selection:
        c-useragent|startswith: 'Microsoft BITS/'
    falsepositives:
        cs-host|endswith:
            - '.com'
            - '.net'
            - '.org'
            - '.scdn.co' # spotify streaming
            - '.sfx.ms' # Microsoft domain, example request: https://oneclient.sfx.ms/PreSignInSettings/Prod/2022-08-15-21-xx-xx/PreSignInSettingsConfig.json
    condition: selection and not falsepositives
falsepositives:
    - Rare programs that use Bitsadmin and update from regional TLDs e.g. .uk or .ca
level: high

title: Raw Paste Service Access
id: 5468045b-4fcc-4d1a-973c-c9c9578edacb
status: test
description: Detects direct access to raw pastes in different paste services often used by malware in their second stages to download malicious code in encrypted or encoded form
references:
    - https://www.virustotal.com/gui/domain/paste.ee/relations
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems)
date: 2019-12-05
modified: 2023-01-19
tags:
    - attack.command-and-control
    - attack.t1071.001
    - attack.t1102.001
    - attack.t1102.003
logsource:
    category: proxy
detection:
    selection:
        c-uri|contains:
            - '.paste.ee/r/'
            - '.pastebin.com/raw/'
            - '.hastebin.com/raw/'
            - '.ghostbin.co/paste/*/raw/'
            - 'pastetext.net/'
            - 'pastebin.pl/'
            - 'paste.ee/'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - User activity (e.g. developer that shared and copied code snippets and used the raw link instead of just copy & paste)
level: high