Sigma is the open generic signature format for SIEM systems. Each rule below converts to native syntax for Splunk, Elastic, Sentinel, and other SIEMs. Expand any rule to see its raw YAML.
Detects default file names outputted by the BloodHound collection tool SharpHound
status testauthor C.J. Mayid 02773bed-83bf-469f-b7ff-e676e7d78bab
view Sigma YAML
title: BloodHound Collection Files
id: 02773bed-83bf-469f-b7ff-e676e7d78bab
status: test
description: Detects default file names outputted by the BloodHound collection tool SharpHound
references:
- https://academy.hackthebox.com/course/preview/active-directory-bloodhound/bloodhound--data-collection
author: C.J. May
date: 2022-08-09
modified: 2026-02-19
tags:
- attack.discovery
- attack.t1087.001
- attack.t1087.002
- attack.t1482
- attack.t1069.001
- attack.t1069.002
- attack.execution
- attack.t1059.001
logsource:
product: windows
category: file_event
detection:
selection:
TargetFilename|endswith:
- 'BloodHound.zip'
- '_computers.json'
- '_containers.json'
# - '_domains.json' # prone to false positives with ProbabilisticRevealTokenRegistry function in Google Chrome
- '_gpos.json'
- '_groups.json'
- '_ous.json'
- '_users.json'
filter_optional_ms_winapps:
Image|endswith: '\svchost.exe'
TargetFilename|startswith: 'C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.'
TargetFilename|endswith: '\pocket_containers.json'
condition: selection and not 1 of filter_optional_*
falsepositives:
- Some false positives may arise in some environment and this may require some tuning. Add additional filters or reduce level depending on the level of noise
level: high
high
HackTool - Bloodhound/Sharphound Execution
Detects command line parameters used by Bloodhound and Sharphound hack tools
status testauthor Florian Roth (Nextron Systems)id f376c8a7-a2d0-4ddc-aa0c-16c17236d962
view Sigma YAML
title: HackTool - Bloodhound/Sharphound Execution
id: f376c8a7-a2d0-4ddc-aa0c-16c17236d962
status: test
description: Detects command line parameters used by Bloodhound and Sharphound hack tools
references:
- https://github.com/BloodHoundAD/BloodHound
- https://github.com/BloodHoundAD/SharpHound
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems)
date: 2019-12-20
modified: 2023-02-04
tags:
- attack.discovery
- attack.t1087.001
- attack.t1087.002
- attack.t1482
- attack.t1069.001
- attack.t1069.002
- attack.execution
- attack.t1059.001
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection_img:
- Product|contains: 'SharpHound'
- Description|contains: 'SharpHound'
- Company|contains:
- 'SpecterOps'
- 'evil corp'
- Image|contains:
- '\Bloodhound.exe'
- '\SharpHound.exe'
selection_cli_1:
CommandLine|contains:
- ' -CollectionMethod All '
- ' --CollectionMethods Session '
- ' --Loop --Loopduration '
- ' --PortScanTimeout '
- '.exe -c All -d '
- 'Invoke-Bloodhound'
- 'Get-BloodHoundData'
selection_cli_2:
CommandLine|contains|all:
- ' -JsonFolder '
- ' -ZipFileName '
selection_cli_3:
CommandLine|contains|all:
- ' DCOnly '
- ' --NoSaveCache '
condition: 1 of selection_*
falsepositives:
- Other programs that use these command line option and accepts an 'All' parameter
level: high
high
HackTool - SharpView Execution
Adversaries may look for details about the network configuration and settings of systems they access or through information discovery of remote systems
status testauthor frack113id b2317cfa-4a47-4ead-b3ff-297438c0bc2d
Detects Commandlet names from well-known PowerShell exploitation frameworks
status testauthor Sean Metcalf, Florian Roth, Bartlomiej Czyz @bczyz1, oscd.community, Nasreddine Bencherchali, Tim Shelton, Mustafa Kaan Demir, Georg Lauenstein, Max Altgelt, Tobias Michalski, Austin Songerid 89819aa4-bbd6-46bc-88ec-c7f7fe30efa6
Detects activity as "net user administrator /domain" and "net group domain admins /domain"
status testauthor Florian Roth (Nextron Systems), Jack Croock (method), Jonhnathan Ribeiro (improvements), oscd.communityid 968eef52-9cff-4454-8992-1e74b9cbad6c
view Sigma YAML
title: Reconnaissance Activity
id: 968eef52-9cff-4454-8992-1e74b9cbad6c
status: test
description: Detects activity as "net user administrator /domain" and "net group domain admins /domain"
references:
- https://findingbad.blogspot.de/2017/01/hunting-what-does-it-look-like.html
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems), Jack Croock (method), Jonhnathan Ribeiro (improvements), oscd.community
date: 2017-03-07
modified: 2022-08-22
tags:
- attack.discovery
- attack.t1087.002
- attack.t1069.002
- attack.s0039
logsource:
product: windows
service: security
definition: The volume of Event ID 4661 is high on Domain Controllers and therefore "Audit SAM" and "Audit Kernel Object" advanced audit policy settings are not configured in the recommendations for server systems
detection:
selection:
EventID: 4661
AccessMask: '0x2d'
ObjectType:
- 'SAM_USER'
- 'SAM_GROUP'
ObjectName|startswith: 'S-1-5-21-'
ObjectName|endswith:
- '-500'
- '-512'
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Administrator activity
level: high
high
Renamed AdFind Execution
Detects the use of a renamed Adfind.exe. AdFind continues to be seen across majority of breaches. It is used to domain trust discovery to plan out subsequent steps in the attack chain.
status testauthor Florian Roth (Nextron Systems)id df55196f-f105-44d3-a675-e9dfb6cc2f2b
view Sigma YAML
title: Renamed AdFind Execution
id: df55196f-f105-44d3-a675-e9dfb6cc2f2b
status: test
description: Detects the use of a renamed Adfind.exe. AdFind continues to be seen across majority of breaches. It is used to domain trust discovery to plan out subsequent steps in the attack chain.
references:
- https://www.joeware.net/freetools/tools/adfind/
- https://thedfirreport.com/2020/05/08/adfind-recon/
- https://thedfirreport.com/2021/01/11/trickbot-still-alive-and-well/
- https://www.microsoft.com/security/blog/2021/01/20/deep-dive-into-the-solorigate-second-stage-activation-from-sunburst-to-teardrop-and-raindrop/
- https://social.technet.microsoft.com/wiki/contents/articles/7535.adfind-command-examples.aspx
- https://github.com/center-for-threat-informed-defense/adversary_emulation_library/blob/bf62ece1c679b07b5fb49c4bae947fe24c81811f/fin6/Emulation_Plan/Phase1.md
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems)
date: 2022-08-21
modified: 2025-02-26
tags:
- attack.discovery
- attack.t1018
- attack.t1087.002
- attack.t1482
- attack.t1069.002
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection_1:
CommandLine|contains:
- 'domainlist'
- 'trustdmp'
- 'dcmodes'
- 'adinfo'
- ' dclist '
- 'computer_pwdnotreqd'
- 'objectcategory='
- '-subnets -f'
- 'name="Domain Admins"'
- '-sc u:'
- 'domainncs'
- 'dompol'
- ' oudmp '
- 'subnetdmp'
- 'gpodmp'
- 'fspdmp'
- 'users_noexpire'
- 'computers_active'
- 'computers_pwdnotreqd'
selection_2:
Hashes|contains:
- 'IMPHASH=BCA5675746D13A1F246E2DA3C2217492'
- 'IMPHASH=53E117A96057EAF19C41380D0E87F1C2'
- 'IMPHASH=d144de8117df2beceaba2201ad304764'
- 'IMPHASH=12ce1c0f3f5837ecc18a3782408fa975'
- 'IMPHASH=4fbf3f084fbbb2470b80b2013134df35'
- 'IMPHASH=49b639b4acbecc49d72a01f357aa4930'
- 'IMPHASH=680dad9e300346e05a85023965867201'
- 'IMPHASH=21aa085d54992511b9f115355e468782'
selection_3:
OriginalFileName: 'AdFind.exe'
filter:
Image|endswith: '\AdFind.exe'
condition: 1 of selection* and not filter
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
regression_tests_path: regression_data/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_renamed_adfind/info.yml
high
Suspicious Active Directory Database Snapshot Via ADExplorer
Detects the execution of Sysinternals ADExplorer with the "-snapshot" flag in order to save a local copy of the active directory database to a suspicious directory. This can be used by attackers to extract data for Bloodhound, usernames for password spraying or use the meta data for social engineering. The snapshot doesn't contain password hashes but there have been cases, where administrators put passwords in the comment field.
status testauthor Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)id ef61af62-bc74-4f58-b49b-626448227652
view Sigma YAML
title: Suspicious Active Directory Database Snapshot Via ADExplorer
id: ef61af62-bc74-4f58-b49b-626448227652
related:
- id: 9212f354-7775-4e28-9c9f-8f0a4544e664
type: derived
status: test
description: Detects the execution of Sysinternals ADExplorer with the "-snapshot" flag in order to save a local copy of the active directory database to a suspicious directory. This can be used by attackers to extract data for Bloodhound, usernames for password spraying or use the meta data for social engineering. The snapshot doesn't contain password hashes but there have been cases, where administrators put passwords in the comment field.
references:
- https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/5743766-Global-Threat-Report-2019.html
- https://learn.microsoft.com/de-de/sysinternals/downloads/adexplorer
- https://github.com/c3c/ADExplorerSnapshot.py/tree/f700904defac330802bbfedd1d8ffd9248f4ee24
- https://www.packetlabs.net/posts/scattered-spider-is-a-young-ransomware-gang-exploiting-large-corporations/
- https://www.nccgroup.com/us/research-blog/lapsus-recent-techniques-tactics-and-procedures/
- https://trustedsec.com/blog/adexplorer-on-engagements
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2023-03-14
modified: 2025-07-09
tags:
- attack.discovery
- attack.t1087.002
- attack.t1069.002
- attack.t1482
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection_img:
- Image|endswith:
- '\ADExp.exe'
- '\ADExplorer.exe'
- '\ADExplorer64.exe'
- '\ADExplorer64a.exe'
- OriginalFileName: 'AdExp'
- Description: 'Active Directory Editor'
- Product: 'Sysinternals ADExplorer'
selection_flag:
CommandLine|contains: 'snapshot'
selection_paths:
CommandLine|contains:
# TODO: Add more suspicious paths
- '\Downloads\'
- '\Users\Public\'
- '\AppData\'
- '\Windows\Temp\'
condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
medium
ADExplorer Writing Complete AD Snapshot Into .dat File
Detects the dual use tool ADExplorer writing a complete AD snapshot into a .dat file. This can be used by attackers to extract data for Bloodhound, usernames for password spraying or use the meta data for social engineering. The snapshot doesn't contain password hashes but there have been cases, where administrators put passwords in the comment field.
status experimentalauthor Arnim Rupp (Nextron Systems), Thomas Patzkeid 0a1255c5-d732-4b62-ac02-b5152d34fb83
view Sigma YAML
title: ADExplorer Writing Complete AD Snapshot Into .dat File
id: 0a1255c5-d732-4b62-ac02-b5152d34fb83
related:
- id: 9212f354-7775-4e28-9c9f-8f0a4544e664
type: similar
status: experimental
description: Detects the dual use tool ADExplorer writing a complete AD snapshot into a .dat file. This can be used by attackers to extract data for Bloodhound, usernames for password spraying or use the meta data for social engineering. The snapshot doesn't contain password hashes but there have been cases, where administrators put passwords in the comment field.
references:
- https://learn.microsoft.com/de-de/sysinternals/downloads/adexplorer
- https://github.com/c3c/ADExplorerSnapshot.py/tree/f700904defac330802bbfedd1d8ffd9248f4ee24
- https://www.packetlabs.net/posts/scattered-spider-is-a-young-ransomware-gang-exploiting-large-corporations/
- https://www.nccgroup.com/us/research-blog/lapsus-recent-techniques-tactics-and-procedures/
- https://trustedsec.com/blog/adexplorer-on-engagements
author: Arnim Rupp (Nextron Systems), Thomas Patzke
date: 2025-07-09
tags:
- attack.discovery
- attack.t1087.002
- attack.t1069.002
- attack.t1482
logsource:
category: file_event
product: windows
detection:
selection:
Image|endswith:
- '\ADExp.exe'
- '\ADExplorer.exe'
- '\ADExplorer64.exe'
- '\ADExplorer64a.exe'
TargetFilename|endswith: '.dat'
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Legitimate use of ADExplorer by administrators creating .dat snapshots
level: medium
medium
Active Directory Database Snapshot Via ADExplorer
Detects the execution of Sysinternals ADExplorer with the "-snapshot" flag in order to save a local copy of the active directory database. This can be used by attackers to extract data for Bloodhound, usernames for password spraying or use the meta data for social engineering. The snapshot doesn't contain password hashes but there have been cases, where administrators put passwords in the comment field.
status testauthor Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)id 9212f354-7775-4e28-9c9f-8f0a4544e664
view Sigma YAML
title: Active Directory Database Snapshot Via ADExplorer
id: 9212f354-7775-4e28-9c9f-8f0a4544e664
related:
- id: ef61af62-bc74-4f58-b49b-626448227652
type: derived
status: test
description: Detects the execution of Sysinternals ADExplorer with the "-snapshot" flag in order to save a local copy of the active directory database. This can be used by attackers to extract data for Bloodhound, usernames for password spraying or use the meta data for social engineering. The snapshot doesn't contain password hashes but there have been cases, where administrators put passwords in the comment field.
references:
- https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/5743766-Global-Threat-Report-2019.html
- https://learn.microsoft.com/de-de/sysinternals/downloads/adexplorer
- https://github.com/c3c/ADExplorerSnapshot.py/tree/f700904defac330802bbfedd1d8ffd9248f4ee24
- https://www.packetlabs.net/posts/scattered-spider-is-a-young-ransomware-gang-exploiting-large-corporations/
- https://www.nccgroup.com/us/research-blog/lapsus-recent-techniques-tactics-and-procedures/
- https://trustedsec.com/blog/adexplorer-on-engagements
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2023-03-14
modified: 2025-07-09
tags:
- attack.discovery
- attack.t1087.002
- attack.t1069.002
- attack.t1482
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection_img:
- Image|endswith:
- '\ADExp.exe'
- '\ADExplorer.exe'
- '\ADExplorer64.exe'
- '\ADExplorer64a.exe'
- OriginalFileName: 'AdExp'
- Description: 'Active Directory Editor'
- Product: 'Sysinternals ADExplorer'
selection_cli:
CommandLine|contains: 'snapshot'
condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: medium
medium
Potential Active Directory Reconnaissance/Enumeration Via LDAP
Detects potential Active Directory enumeration via LDAP
status testauthor Adeem Mawaniid 31d68132-4038-47c7-8f8e-635a39a7c174