title: Veeam Backup Servers Credential Dumping Script Execution
id: 976d6e6f-a04b-4900-9713-0134a353e38b
status: test
description: Detects execution of a PowerShell script that contains calls to the "Veeam.Backup" class, in order to dump stored credentials.
references:
    - https://www.pwndefend.com/2021/02/15/retrieving-passwords-from-veeam-backup-servers/
    - https://labs.withsecure.com/publications/fin7-target-veeam-servers
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2023-05-04
tags:
    - attack.credential-access
logsource:
    product: windows
    category: ps_script
    definition: bade5735-5ab0-4aa7-a642-a11be0e40872
detection:
    selection:
        ScriptBlockText|contains|all:
            - '[Credentials]'
            - '[Veeam.Backup.Common.ProtectedStorage]::GetLocalString'
            - 'Invoke-Sqlcmd'
            - 'Veeam Backup and Replication'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Administrators backup scripts (must be investigated)
level: high

title: DPAPI Backup Keys And Certificate Export Activity IOC
id: 7892ec59-c5bb-496d-8968-e5d210ca3ac4
status: test
description: |
    Detects file names with specific patterns seen generated and used by tools such as Mimikatz and DSInternals related to exported or stolen DPAPI backup keys and certificates.
references:
    - https://www.dsinternals.com/en/dpapi-backup-key-theft-auditing/
    - https://github.com/MichaelGrafnetter/DSInternals/blob/39ee8a69bbdc1cfd12c9afdd7513b4788c4895d4/Src/DSInternals.Common/Data/DPAPI/DPAPIBackupKey.cs#L28-L32
author: Nounou Mbeiri, Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2024-06-26
tags:
    - attack.credential-access
    - attack.t1555
    - attack.t1552.004
logsource:
    product: windows
    category: file_event
detection:
    selection:
        TargetFilename|contains:
            - 'ntds_capi_'
            - 'ntds_legacy_'
            - 'ntds_unknown_'
        TargetFilename|endswith:
            - '.cer'
            - '.key'
            - '.pfx'
            - '.pvk'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Unlikely
level: high

title: PUA - Restic Backup Tool Execution
id: 6ddff2e8-ea1a-45d0-8938-93dfc1d67ae7
status: experimental
description: |
    Detects the execution of the Restic backup tool, which can be used for data exfiltration.
    Threat actors may leverage Restic to back up and exfiltrate sensitive data to remote storage locations, including cloud services.
    If not legitimately used in the enterprise environment, its presence may indicate malicious activity.
references:
    - https://thedfirreport.com/2024/09/30/nitrogen-campaign-drops-sliver-and-ends-with-blackcat-ransomware/#exfiltration
    - https://restic.net/
    - https://restic.readthedocs.io/en/stable/030_preparing_a_new_repo.html
author: Nounou Mbeiri, Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel (Nextron Systems)
date: 2025-10-17
tags:
    - attack.exfiltration
    - attack.t1048
    - attack.t1567.002
logsource:
    product: windows
    category: process_creation
detection:
    selection_specific:
        - CommandLine|contains|all:
              - '--password-file'
              - 'init'
              - ' -r '
        - CommandLine|contains|all:
              - '--use-fs-snapshot'
              - 'backup'
              - ' -r '
    selection_restic:
        CommandLine|contains:
            - 'sftp:'
            - 'rest:http'
            - 's3:s3.'
            - 's3.http'
            - 'azure:'
            - ' gs:'
            - 'rclone:'
            - 'swift:'
            - ' b2:'
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - ' init '
            - ' -r '
    condition: 1 of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate use of Restic for backup purposes within the organization.
level: high

title: Sensitive File Recovery From Backup Via Wbadmin.EXE
id: 84972c80-251c-4c3a-9079-4f00aad93938
related:
    - id: 6fe4aa1e-0531-4510-8be2-782154b73b48
      type: derived
status: test
description: |
    Detects the dump of highly sensitive files such as "NTDS.DIT" and "SECURITY" hive.
    Attackers can leverage the "wbadmin" utility in order to dump sensitive files that might contain credential or sensitive information.
references:
    - https://github.com/LOLBAS-Project/LOLBAS/blob/2cc01b01132b5c304027a658c698ae09dd6a92bf/yml/OSBinaries/Wbadmin.yml
    - https://lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/Binaries/Wbadmin/
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/wbadmin-start-recovery
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/wbadmin-start-backup
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), frack113
date: 2024-05-10
tags:
    - attack.credential-access
    - attack.t1003.003
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_img:
        - Image|endswith: '\wbadmin.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'WBADMIN.EXE'
    selection_backup:
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - ' recovery'
            - 'recoveryTarget'
            - 'itemtype:File'
        CommandLine|contains:
            - '\config\SAM'
            - '\config\SECURITY'
            - '\config\SYSTEM'
            - '\Windows\NTDS\NTDS.dit'
    condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: Sensitive File Access Via Volume Shadow Copy Backup
id: f57f8d16-1f39-4dcb-a604-6c73d9b54b3d
status: test
description: |
    Detects a command that accesses the VolumeShadowCopy in order to extract sensitive files such as the Security or SAM registry hives or the AD database (ntds.dit)
references:
    - https://twitter.com/vxunderground/status/1423336151860002816?s=20
    - https://www.virustotal.com/gui/file/03e9b8c2e86d6db450e5eceec057d7e369ee2389b9daecaf06331a95410aa5f8/detection
    - https://pentestlab.blog/2018/07/04/dumping-domain-password-hashes/
author: Max Altgelt (Nextron Systems), Tobias Michalski (Nextron Systems)
date: 2021-08-09
modified: 2024-01-18
tags:
    - attack.impact
    - attack.t1490
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_1:
        # copy \\?\GLOBALROOT\Device\HarddiskVolumeShadowCopy1\Windows\NTDS\NTDS.dit C:\temp\ntds.dit 2>&1
        # There is an additional "\" to escape the special "?"
        CommandLine|contains: '\\\\\?\\GLOBALROOT\\Device\\HarddiskVolumeShadowCopy'
    selection_2:
        CommandLine|contains:
            - '\\NTDS.dit'
            - '\\SYSTEM'
            - '\\SECURITY'
    condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Unlikely
level: high

title: DPAPI Domain Backup Key Extraction
id: 4ac1f50b-3bd0-4968-902d-868b4647937e
status: test
description: Detects tools extracting LSA secret DPAPI domain backup key from Domain Controllers
references:
    - https://threathunterplaybook.com/hunts/windows/190620-DomainDPAPIBackupKeyExtraction/notebook.html
author: Roberto Rodriguez @Cyb3rWard0g
date: 2019-06-20
modified: 2022-02-24
tags:
    - attack.credential-access
    - attack.t1003.004
logsource:
    product: windows
    service: security
detection:
    selection:
        EventID: 4662
        ObjectType: 'SecretObject'
        AccessMask: '0x2'
        ObjectName|contains: 'BCKUPKEY'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: Time Machine Backup Deletion Attempt Via Tmutil - MacOS
id: 452df256-da78-427a-866f-49fa04417d74
status: test
description: |
    Detects deletion attempts of MacOS Time Machine backups via the native backup utility "tmutil".
    An adversary may perform this action before launching a ransonware attack to prevent the victim from restoring their files.
references:
    - https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/master/atomics/T1490/T1490.md#atomic-test-12---disable-time-machine
    - https://www.loobins.io/binaries/tmutil/
author: Pratinav Chandra
date: 2024-05-29
tags:
    - attack.impact
    - attack.t1490
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: macos
detection:
    selection_img:
        - Image|endswith: '/tmutil'
        - CommandLine|contains: 'tmutil'
    selection_cmd:
        CommandLine|contains: 'delete'
    condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate activities
level: medium

title: Time Machine Backup Disabled Via Tmutil - MacOS
id: 2c95fa8a-8b8d-4787-afce-7117ceb8e3da
status: test
description: |
    Detects disabling of Time Machine (Apple's automated backup utility software) via the native macOS backup utility "tmutil".
    An attacker can use this to prevent backups from occurring.
references:
    - https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/master/atomics/T1490/T1490.md#atomic-test-12---disable-time-machine
    - https://www.loobins.io/binaries/tmutil/
author: Pratinav Chandra
date: 2024-05-29
tags:
    - attack.impact
    - attack.t1490
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: macos
detection:
    selection_img:
        - Image|endswith: '/tmutil'
        - CommandLine|contains: 'tmutil'
    selection_cmd:
        CommandLine|contains: 'disable'
    condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate administrator activity
level: medium

title: AWS Snapshot Backup Exfiltration
id: abae8fec-57bd-4f87-aff6-6e3db989843d
status: test
description: Detects the modification of an EC2 snapshot's permissions to enable access from another account
references:
    - https://www.justice.gov/file/1080281/download
author: Darin Smith
date: 2021-05-17
modified: 2021-08-19
tags:
    - attack.exfiltration
    - attack.t1537
logsource:
    product: aws
    service: cloudtrail
detection:
    selection_source:
        eventSource: ec2.amazonaws.com
        eventName: ModifySnapshotAttribute
    condition: selection_source
falsepositives:
    - Valid change to a snapshot's permissions
level: medium

title: Backup Files Deleted
id: 06125661-3814-4e03-bfa2-1e4411c60ac3
status: test
description: Detects deletion of files with extensions often used for backup files. Adversaries may delete or remove built-in operating system data and turn off services designed to aid in the recovery of a corrupted system to prevent recovery.
references:
    - https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1490/T1490.md#atomic-test-6---windows---delete-backup-files
author: frack113
date: 2022-01-02
modified: 2023-02-15
tags:
    - attack.impact
    - attack.t1490
logsource:
    product: windows
    category: file_delete
detection:
    selection:
        Image|endswith:
            - '\cmd.exe'
            - '\powershell.exe'
            - '\pwsh.exe'
            - '\wt.exe'
            - '\rundll32.exe'
            - '\regsvr32.exe'
        TargetFilename|endswith:
            - '.VHD'
            - '.bac'
            - '.bak'
            - '.wbcat'
            - '.bkf'
            - '.set'
            - '.win'
            - '.dsk'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate usage
level: medium

title: File Recovery From Backup Via Wbadmin.EXE
id: 6fe4aa1e-0531-4510-8be2-782154b73b48
related:
    - id: 84972c80-251c-4c3a-9079-4f00aad93938
      type: derived
status: test
description: |
    Detects the recovery of files from backups via "wbadmin.exe".
    Attackers can restore sensitive files such as NTDS.DIT or Registry Hives from backups in order to potentially extract credentials.
references:
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/wbadmin-start-recovery
    - https://lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/Binaries/Wbadmin/
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), frack113
date: 2024-05-10
tags:
    - attack.impact
    - attack.t1490
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_img:
        - Image|endswith: '\wbadmin.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'WBADMIN.EXE'
    selection_cli:
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - ' recovery'
            - 'recoveryTarget'
            - 'itemtype:File'
    condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium

title: Veeam Backup Database Suspicious Query
id: 696bfb54-227e-4602-ac5b-30d9d2053312
status: test
description: Detects potentially suspicious SQL queries using SQLCmd targeting the Veeam backup databases in order to steal information.
references:
    - https://labs.withsecure.com/publications/fin7-target-veeam-servers
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2023-05-04
tags:
    - attack.collection
    - attack.t1005
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_sql:
        Image|endswith: '\sqlcmd.exe'
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - 'VeeamBackup'
            - 'From '
    selection_db:
        CommandLine|contains:
            - 'BackupRepositories'
            - 'Backups'
            - 'Credentials'
            - 'HostCreds'
            - 'SmbFileShares'
            - 'Ssh_creds'
            - 'VSphereInfo'
    condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium

title: Windows Backup Deleted Via Wbadmin.EXE
id: 89f75308-5b1b-4390-b2d8-d6b2340efaf8
related:
    - id: 639c9081-f482-47d3-a0bd-ddee3d4ecd76
      type: derived
status: test
description: |
    Detects the deletion of backups or system state backups via "wbadmin.exe".
    This technique is used by numerous ransomware families and actors.
    This may only be successful on server platforms that have Windows Backup enabled.
references:
    - https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1490/T1490.md#atomic-test-5---windows---delete-volume-shadow-copies-via-wmi-with-powershell
    - https://github.com/albertzsigovits/malware-notes/blob/558898932c1579ff589290092a2c8febefc3a4c9/Ransomware/Lockbit.md
    - https://www.sentinelone.com/labs/ranzy-ransomware-better-encryption-among-new-features-of-thunderx-derivative/
    - https://www.trendmicro.com/vinfo/us/security/news/cybercrime-and-digital-threats/ransomware-report-avaddon-and-new-techniques-emerge-industrial-sector-targeted
    - https://www.trendmicro.com/content/dam/trendmicro/global/en/research/24/b/lockbit-attempts-to-stay-afloat-with-a-new-version/technical-appendix-lockbit-ng-dev-analysis.pdf
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/wbadmin-delete-systemstatebackup
author: frack113, Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2021-12-13
modified: 2024-05-10
tags:
    - attack.impact
    - attack.t1490
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_img:
        - Image|endswith: '\wbadmin.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'WBADMIN.EXE'
    selection_cli:
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - 'delete '
            - 'backup' # Also covers "SYSTEMSTATEBACKUP"
    filter_main_keep_versions:
        # Note: We exclude this to avoid duplicate alerts with 639c9081-f482-47d3-a0bd-ddee3d4ecd76
        CommandLine|contains: 'keepVersions:0'
    condition: all of selection_* and not 1 of filter_main_*
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate backup activity from administration scripts and software.
level: medium

title: Backup Catalog Deleted
id: 9703792d-fd9a-456d-a672-ff92efe4806a
status: test
description: Detects backup catalog deletions
references:
    - https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc742154(v=ws.11).aspx
    - https://www.hybrid-analysis.com/sample/ed01ebfbc9eb5bbea545af4d01bf5f1071661840480439c6e5babe8e080e41aa?environmentId=100
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems), Tom U. @c_APT_ure (collection)
date: 2017-05-12
modified: 2022-12-25
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1070.004
logsource:
    product: windows
    service: application
detection:
    selection:
        EventID: 524
        Provider_Name: Microsoft-Windows-Backup
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium

title: DPAPI Domain Master Key Backup Attempt
id: 39a94fd1-8c9a-4ff6-bf22-c058762f8014
status: test
description: Detects anyone attempting a backup for the DPAPI Master Key. This events gets generated at the source and not the Domain Controller.
references:
    - https://threathunterplaybook.com/hunts/windows/190620-DomainDPAPIBackupKeyExtraction/notebook.html
author: Roberto Rodriguez @Cyb3rWard0g
date: 2019-08-10
modified: 2023-03-15
tags:
    - attack.credential-access
    - attack.t1003.004
logsource:
    product: windows
    service: security
detection:
    selection:
        EventID: 4692
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - If a computer is a member of a domain, DPAPI has a backup mechanism to allow unprotection of the data. Which will trigger this event.
level: medium

title: Periodic Backup For System Registry Hives Enabled
id: 973ef012-8f1a-4c40-93b4-7e659a5cd17f
status: test
description: |
    Detects the enabling of the "EnablePeriodicBackup" registry value. Once enabled, The OS will backup System registry hives on restarts to the "C:\Windows\System32\config\RegBack" folder. Windows creates a "RegIdleBackup" task to manage subsequent backups.
    Registry backup was a default behavior on Windows and was disabled as of "Windows 10, version 1803".
references:
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-client/installing-updates-features-roles/system-registry-no-backed-up-regback-folder
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2024-07-01
tags:
    - attack.collection
    - attack.t1113
logsource:
    category: registry_set
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        TargetObject|endswith: '\Control\Session Manager\Configuration Manager\EnablePeriodicBackup'
        Details: 'DWORD (0x00000001)'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate need for RegBack feature by administrators.
level: medium