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: HackTool - HollowReaper Execution
id: 85d23b42-9a9d-4f8f-b3d7-d2733c1d58f5
status: experimental
description: |
    Detects usage of HollowReaper, a process hollowing shellcode launcher used for stealth payload execution through process hollowing.
    It replaces the memory of a legitimate process with custom shellcode, allowing the attacker to execute payloads under the guise of trusted binaries.
references:
    - https://github.com/vari-sh/RedTeamGrimoire/tree/b5e7635d34db6e1f0398d8847e8f293186e947c5/HollowReaper
author: Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel (Nextron Systems)
date: 2025-07-01
tags:
    - attack.privilege-escalation
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1055.012
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        Image|endswith: '\HollowReaper.exe'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: Uncommon Svchost Command Line Parameter
id: f17211f1-1f24-4d0c-829f-31e28dc93cdd
status: experimental
description: |
    Detects instances of svchost.exe running with an unusual or uncommon command line parameter by excluding known legitimate or common patterns.
    This could point at a file masquerading as svchost, a process injection, or hollowing of a legitimate svchost instance.
references:
    - https://cardinalops.com/blog/the-art-of-anomaly-hunting-patterns-detection/
    - https://www.security.com/threat-intelligence/blackbyte-exbyte-ransomware
    - https://cloud.google.com/blog/topics/threat-intelligence/apt41-initiates-global-intrusion-campaign-using-multiple-exploits/
    - https://media.kasperskycontenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/43/2018/03/08064518/Carbanak_APT_eng.pdf
author: Liran Ravich
date: 2025-11-14
modified: 2026-03-23
tags:
    - attack.privilege-escalation
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1036.005
    - attack.t1055
    - attack.t1055.012
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        # Example of command to simulate: "C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe" calc.exe
        Image|endswith: '\svchost.exe'
    filter_main_flags:
        CommandLine|re: '-k\s\w{1,64}(?:\s?(?:-p|-s))?'
    filter_main_empty:
        CommandLine: ''
    filter_main_null:
        CommandLine: null
    filter_optional_defender:
        ParentImage|endswith: '\MsMpEng.exe'
        CommandLine|contains: 'svchost.exe'
    filter_optional_mrt:
        ParentImage|endswith: '\MRT.exe'
        CommandLine: 'svchost.exe'
    condition: selection and not 1 of filter_main_* and not 1 of filter_optional_*
falsepositives:
    - Unlikely
level: high

title: Potential Process Hollowing Activity
id: c4b890e5-8d8c-4496-8c66-c805753817cd
status: test
description: Detects when a memory process image does not match the disk image, indicative of process hollowing.
references:
    - https://twitter.com/SecurePeacock/status/1486054048390332423?s=20
    - https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-sysmon-now-detects-malware-process-tampering-attempts/
author: Christopher Peacock '@securepeacock', SCYTHE '@scythe_io', Sittikorn S
date: 2022-01-25
modified: 2023-11-28
tags:
    - attack.privilege-escalation
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1055.012
logsource:
    product: windows
    category: process_tampering
detection:
    selection:
        Type: 'Image is replaced'
    filter_main_generic:
        Image|contains:
            - ':\Program Files (x86)'
            - ':\Program Files\'
            - ':\Windows\System32\wbem\WMIADAP.exe'
            - ':\Windows\SysWOW64\wbem\WMIADAP.exe'
    filter_optional_opera:
        Image|contains: '\AppData\Local\Programs\Opera\'
        Image|endswith: '\opera.exe'
    filter_optional_edge:
        Image|endswith: '\WindowsApps\MicrosoftEdge.exe'
    condition: selection and not 1 of filter_main_* and not 1 of filter_optional_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium