Detects the creation of Self Extraction Directive files (.sed) in a potentially suspicious location. These files are used by the "iexpress.exe" utility in order to create self extracting packages. Attackers were seen abusing this utility and creating PE files with embedded ".sed" entries.

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Detects the creation of a file named "WerFault.exe" or "wer.dll" in an uncommon folder, which could be a sign of WerFault DLL hijacking.

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Detects suspicious filenames that contain a right-to-left override character and a potentially spoofed file extensions.

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Detects the creation of files with the ".rdp" extensions in the temporary directory that Outlook uses when opening attachments. This can be used to detect spear-phishing campaigns that use RDP files as attachments.

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Detects creation of a file with an ".rdp" extension by an application that doesn't commonly create such files.

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Detects the creation of the "PSScriptPolicyTest" PowerShell script by an uncommon process. This file is usually generated by Microsoft Powershell to test against Applocker.

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Detects file write event from/to a fake recycle bin folder that is often used as a staging directory for malware

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Detects the creation of a file with an uncommon extension in an Office application startup folder

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Detects creation of files with names used by different memory dumping tools to create a memory dump of the LSASS process memory, which contains user credentials.

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Detects the creation of known offensive powershell scripts used for exploitation

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Detects the creation of files that look like exports of the local SAM (Security Account Manager)

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Detects the creation of an "lsass.dmp" file by the taskmgr process. This indicates a manual dumping of the LSASS.exe process memory using Windows Task Manager.

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Detects the creation of hidden file/folder with the "::$index_allocation" stream. Which can be used as a technique to prevent access to folder and files from tooling such as "explorer.exe" and "powershell.exe"

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Detects the creation of a new PowerShell module ".psm1", ".psd1", ".dll", ".ps1", etc. by a non-PowerShell process

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Detects the creation of files in a specific location by ScreenConnect RMM. ScreenConnect has feature to remotely execute binaries on a target machine. These binaries will be dropped to ":\Users<username>\Documents\ConnectWiseControl\Temp" before execution.

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Detects the creation of a file with the name "code_tunnel.json" which indicate execution and usage of VsCode tunneling utility by an "Image" or "Process" other than VsCode.

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Detects the creation of files with an "LNK" as a second extension. This is sometimes used by malware as a method to abuse the fact that Windows hides the "LNK" extension by default.

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Detects the creation of file by the "node.exe" process in the ".vscode-server" directory. Could be a sign of remote file creation via VsCode tunnel feature

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Detects the creation of an "Active Directory Schema Cache File" (.sch) file by an uncommon tool.

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Detects the use of Advanced IP Scanner. Seems to be a popular tool for ransomware groups.

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Detects javaw.exe in AppData folder as used by Adwind / JRAT

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An adversary may use legitimate desktop support and remote access software, such as Team Viewer, Go2Assist, LogMein, AmmyyAdmin, etc, to establish an interactive command and control channel to target systems within networks. These services are commonly used as legitimate technical support software, and may be allowed by application control within a target environment. Remote access tools like VNC, Ammyy, and Teamviewer are used frequently when compared with other legitimate software commonly used by adversaries. (Citation: Symantec Living off the Land)

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Detects the creation of new DLL assembly files by "aspnet_compiler.exe", which could be a sign of "aspnet_compiler" abuse to proxy execution through a build provider.

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Detects execution of attacker-controlled WsmPty.xsl or WsmTxt.xsl via winrm.vbs and copied cscript.exe (can be renamed)

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Detects default file names outputted by the BloodHound collection tool SharpHound

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This rule detects suspicious files created by Microsoft Sync Center (mobsync)

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Adversaries may execute their own malicious payloads by hijacking vulnerable file path references. Adversaries can take advantage of paths that lack surrounding quotations by placing an executable in a higher level directory within the path, so that Windows will choose the adversary's executable to launch.

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Detects the creation of diagcab file, which could be caused by some legitimate installer or is a sign of exploitation (review the filename and its location)

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Detects the creation of system DLLs that are usually not present on the system (or at least not in system directories). Usually this technique is used to achieve DLL hijacking.

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Files with well-known filenames (parts of credential dump software or files produced by them) creation

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Detects default CSExec service filename which indicates CSExec service installation and execution

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Detects when an attacker create a similar folder structure to windows system folders such as (Windows, Program Files...) but with a space in order to trick DLL load search order and perform a "DLL Search Order Hijacking" attack

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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.

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Detects the creation of suspcious binary files inside the "\windows\system32\spool\drivers\color" as seen in the blog referenced below

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When C# is compiled dynamically, a .cmdline file will be created as a part of the process. Certain processes are not typically observed compiling C# code, but can do so without touching disk. This can be used to unpack a payload for execution

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Detects the creation of new files with the ".evtx" extension in non-common or non-standard location. This could indicate tampering with default EVTX locations in order to evade security controls or simply exfiltration of event log to search for sensitive information within. Note that backup software and legitimate administrator might perform similar actions during troubleshooting.

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Detects msdt.exe creating files in suspicious directories which could be a sign of exploitation of either Follina or Dogwalk vulnerabilities

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Detects the creation of files with an executable or script extension by an Office application.

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Detects the creation of a file with the ".dll" extension that has the name of a System DLL in uncommon or unsuspected locations. (Outisde of "System32", "SysWOW64", etc.). It is highly recommended to perform an initial baseline before using this rule in production.

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Detects the creation of an executable with a system process name in folders other than the system ones (System32, SysWOW64, etc.). It is highly recommended to perform an initial baseline before using this rule in production.

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Detects creation of files which are the results of executing the built-in reconnaissance script "C:\Windows\System32\gatherNetworkInfo.vbs".

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An adversary may use legitimate desktop support and remote access software, such as Team Viewer, Go2Assist, LogMein, AmmyyAdmin, etc, to establish an interactive command and control channel to target systems within networks. These services are commonly used as legitimate technical support software, and may be allowed by application control within a target environment. Remote access tools like VNC, Ammyy, and Teamviewer are used frequently when compared with other legitimate software commonly used by adversaries. (Citation: Symantec Living off the Land)

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Detects file creation events with filename patterns used by CrackMapExec.

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Detects the creation of the default dump file used by Outflank Dumpert tool. A process dumper, which dumps the lsass process memory

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Detects the presence and execution of Inveigh via dropped artefacts

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Detects the creation of files created by mimikatz such as ".kirbi", "mimilsa.log", etc.

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Detects the use of NPPSpy hacktool that stores cleartext passwords of users that logged in to a local file

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Detects default filenames output from the execution of CrackMapExec and Impacket-secretsdump against an endpoint.

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Powerup tool's Write Hijack DLL exploits DLL hijacking for privilege escalation. In it's default mode, it builds a self deleting .bat file which executes malicious command. The detection rule relies on creation of the malicious bat file (debug.bat by default).

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Detects a dump file written by QuarksPwDump password dumper

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Detects the creation of file with specific names used by RemoteKrbRelay SMB Relay attack module.

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Detects default lsass dump filename generated by SafetyKatz.

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Detects files written by the different tools that exploit HiveNightmare

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Detects the usage of tsclient share to place a backdoor on the RDP source machine's startup folder

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TeamViewer_Desktop.exe is create during install

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Detects the creation of a ISO file in the Outlook temp folder or in the Appdata temp folder. Typical of Qakbot TTP from end-July 2022.

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Detects the creation of recent element file that points to an .ISO, .IMG, .VHD or .VHDX file as often used in phishing attacks. This can be a false positive on server systems but on workstations users should rarely mount .iso or .img files.

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Detects programs on a Windows system that should not write an archive to disk

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Detects programs on a Windows system that should not write executables to disk

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Detects programs on a Windows system that should not write scripts to disk

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Detects the creation of the LiveKD driver, which is used for live kernel debugging

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Detects the creation of the LiveKD driver by a process image other than "livekd.exe".

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Detects the creation of a file that has the same name as the default LiveKD kernel memory dump.

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Detects the presence of an LSASS dump file in the "CrashDumps" folder. This could be a sign of LSASS credential dumping. Techniques such as the LSASS Shtinkering have been seen abusing the Windows Error Reporting to dump said process.

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Detects creation of a malicious DLL file in the location where the OneDrive or Team applications Upon execution of the Teams or OneDrive application, the dropped malicious DLL file ("iphlpapi.dll") is sideloaded

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Adversaries may establish persistence and/or elevate privileges by executing malicious content triggered by application shims. The Microsoft Windows Application Compatibility Infrastructure/Framework (Application Shim) was created to allow for backward compatibility of software as the operating system codebase changes over time.

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Detects the creation of a macro file for Outlook.

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Detects creation of files with specific name patterns seen used in various tools that export the NTDS.DIT for exfiltration.

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Detects creation of a file named "ntds.dit" (Active Directory Database)

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Detects creation of a file named "ntds.dit" (Active Directory Database) by an uncommon parent process or directory

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Detects creation of a file named "ntds.dit" (Active Directory Database) by an uncommon process or a process located in a suspicious directory

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Detects Octopus Scanner Malware.

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Detects the creation of a new office macro files on the systems

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Detects the creation of a office macro file from a a suspicious process

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Detects the creation of a new office macro files on the systems via an application (browser, mail client).

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Detects creation of files with the ".one"/".onepkg" extension in suspicious or uncommon locations. This could be a sign of attackers abusing OneNote attachments

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Detects processes creating temp files related to PCRE.NET package

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Detects the creation of a file with the ".pdf" extension by the "RegEdit.exe" process. This indicates that a user is trying to print/save a registry key as a PDF in order to potentially extract sensitive information and bypass defenses.

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Detects PowerShell creating a binary executable or a script file.

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Detects potential DLL hijack of "iertutil.dll" found in the DCOM InternetExplorer.Application Class over the network

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Detects the presence of unicode characters which are homoglyphs, or identical in appearance, to ASCII letter characters. This is used as an obfuscation and masquerading techniques. Only "perfect" homoglyphs are included; these are characters that are indistinguishable from ASCII characters and thus may make excellent candidates for homoglyph attack characters.

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Detects attempts to create a DLL file to a known desktop application dependencies folder such as Slack, Teams or OneDrive and by an unusual process. This may indicate an attempt to load a malicious module via DLL search order hijacking.

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Detects creation of a file named "ErrorHandler.cmd" in the "C:\WINDOWS\Setup\Scripts" directory which could be used as a method of persistence The content of C:\WINDOWS\Setup\Scripts\ErrorHandler.cmd is read whenever some tools under C:\WINDOWS\System32\oobe\ (e.g. Setup.exe) fail to run for any reason.

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Detects potential persistence activity via startup add-ins that load when Microsoft Office starts (.wll/.xll are simply .dll fit for Word or Excel).

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Detects creation of Microsoft Office files inside of one of the default startup folders in order to achieve persistence.

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Detects creation of new ".dll" files inside the plugins directory of a notepad++ installation by a process other than "gup.exe". Which could indicates possible persistence

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Detects the creation of a new Outlook form which can contain malicious code

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Detects potential privilege escalation attempt via the creation of the "*.Exe.Local" folder inside the "System32" directory in order to sideload "comctl32.dll"

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Detects a phishing attack which expands a ZIP file containing a malicious shortcut. If the victim expands the ZIP file via the explorer process, then the explorer process expands the malicious ZIP file and drops a malicious shortcut redirected to a backdoor into the Startup folder. Additionally, the file name of the malicious shortcut in Startup folder contains {0AFACED1-E828-11D1-9187-B532F1E9575D} meaning the folder shortcut operation.

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Detects PowerShell writing startup shortcuts. This procedure was highlighted in Red Canary Intel Insights Oct. 2021, "We frequently observe adversaries using PowerShell to write malicious .lnk files into the startup directory to establish persistence. Accordingly, this detection opportunity is likely to identify persistence mechanisms in multiple threats. In the context of Yellow Cockatoo, this persistence mechanism eventually launches the command-line script that leads to the installation of a malicious DLL"

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Detects the creation of a new PowerShell module in the first folder of the module directory structure "\WindowsPowerShell\Modules\malware\malware.psm1". This is somewhat an uncommon practice as legitimate modules often includes a version folder.

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Detects the creation of files with certain extensions on a static web site. This can be indicative of potential uploads of a web shell.

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Detects files dropped by Winnti as described in RedMimicry Winnti playbook

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Detects the creation of a file with the ".dmp"/".hdmp" extension by a shell or scripting application such as "cmd", "powershell", etc. Often created by software during a crash. Memory dumps can sometimes contain sensitive information such as credentials. It's best to determine the source of the crash.

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Detects the creation of a new PowerShell module ".psm1", ".psd1", ".dll", ".ps1", etc.

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Detects the creation or modification of a powershell profile which could indicate suspicious activity as the profile can be used as a mean of persistence

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Detects PowerShell creating a PowerShell file (.ps1). While often times this behavior is benign, sometimes it can be a sign of a dropper script trying to achieve persistence.

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Detects creation of the Process Explorer drivers by processes other than Process Explorer (procexp) itself. Hack tools or malware may use the Process Explorer driver to elevate privileges, drops it to disk for a few moments, runs a service using that driver and removes it afterwards.

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Detects creation of the Process Monitor driver by processes other than Process Monitor (procmon) itself.

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Detects creation of the PSEXEC key file. Which is created anytime a PsExec command is executed. It gets written to the file system and will be recorded in the USN Journal on the target system

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Detects default PsExec service filename which indicates PsExec service installation and execution

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Detects creation of files with the ".pub" extension in suspicious or uncommon locations. This could be a sign of attackers abusing Publisher documents

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Detects Rclone config files being created

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Detects default RemCom service filename which indicates RemCom service installation and execution

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Detects the creation of screensaver files (.scr) outside of system folders. Attackers may execute an application as an ".SCR" file using "rundll32.exe desk.cpl,InstallScreenSaver" for example.

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An adversary may use legitimate desktop support and remote access software, such as Team Viewer, Go2Assist, LogMein, AmmyyAdmin, etc, to establish an interactive command and control channel to target systems within networks. These services are commonly used as legitimate technical support software, and may be allowed by application control within a target environment. Remote access tools like VNC, Ammyy, and Teamviewer are used frequently when compared with other legitimate software commonly used by adversaries. (Citation: Symantec Living off the Land)

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A General detection for files being created in the Windows startup directory. This could be an indicator of persistence.

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Detects suspicious file type dropped by an Exchange component in IIS into a suspicious folder

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Detects AnyDesk writing binary files to disk other than "gcapi.dll". According to RedCanary research it is highly abnormal for AnyDesk to write executable files to disk besides gcapi.dll, which is a legitimate DLL that is part of the Google Chrome web browser used to interact with the Google Cloud API. (See reference section for more details)

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Ransomware create txt file in the user Desktop

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Once executed, colorcpl.exe will copy the arbitrary file to c:\windows\system32\spool\drivers\color\

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Detects unusual processes accessing desktop.ini, which can be leveraged to alter how Explorer displays a folder's content (i.e. renaming files) without changing them on disk.

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Detects a suspicious Microsoft desktopimgdownldr file creation that stores a file to a suspicious location or contains a file with a suspicious extension

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Detects the creation of Usage Log files by the CLR (clr.dll). These files are named after the executing process once the assembly is finished executing for the first time in the (user) session context.

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Detects dropped files with double extensions, which is often used by malware as a method to abuse the fact that Windows hide default extensions by default.

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Detect creation of suspicious executable file names. Some strings look for suspicious file extensions, others look for filenames that exploit unquoted service paths.

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Detects suspicious file based on their extension being created in "C:\PerfLogs". Note that this directory mostly contains ".etl" files

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Detects suspicious files created via the OneNote application. This could indicate a potential malicious ".one"/".onepkg" file was executed as seen being used in malware activity in the wild

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Detects the creation of suspicious files and folders inside the user's AppData folder but not inside any of the common and well known directories (Local, Romaing, LocalLow). This method could be used as a method to bypass detection who exclude the AppData folder in fear of FPs

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Detects suspicious file type dropped by an Exchange component in IIS

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Detects the creation of copy of suspicious files (EXE/DLL) to the default GPO storage folder

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Get-Variable is a valid PowerShell cmdlet WindowsApps is by default in the path where PowerShell is executed. So when the Get-Variable command is issued on PowerShell execution, the system first looks for the Get-Variable executable in the path and executes the malicious binary instead of looking for the PowerShell cmdlet.

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Detects the creation of files that indicator an interactive use of PowerShell in the SYSTEM user context

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Detects suspicious activity in which the MSExchangeMailboxReplication process writes .asp and .apsx files to disk, which could be a sign of ProxyShell exploitation

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Detects the creation of a macro file for Outlook.

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A general detection for processes creating PFX files. This could be an indicator of an adversary exporting a local certificate to a PFX file.

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Detects the creation of the PROCEXP152.sys file in the application-data local temporary folder. This driver is used by Sysinternals Process Explorer but also by KDU (https://github.com/hfiref0x/KDU) or Ghost-In-The-Logs (https://github.com/bats3c/Ghost-In-The-Logs), which uses KDU.

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Detects the creation of tasks from processes executed from suspicious locations

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Adversaries may establish persistence by executing malicious content triggered by user inactivity. Screensavers are programs that execute after a configurable time of user inactivity and consist of Portable Executable (PE) files with a .scr file extension

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Detects when a file with a suspicious extension is created in the startup folder

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Detects the creation of log files during a TeamViewer remote session

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Detects the pattern of UAC Bypass using a path parsing issue in winsat.exe (UACMe 52)

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Detects the pattern of UAC Bypass using .NET Code Profiler and mmc.exe DLL hijacking (UACMe 39)

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Detects the pattern of UAC Bypass using consent.exe and comctl32.dll (UACMe 22)

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Detects the pattern of a UAC bypass using Windows Event Viewer

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Detects the creation of a file by "dllhost.exe" in System32 directory part of "IDiagnosticProfileUAC" UAC bypass technique

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Detects the pattern of UAC Bypass using IEInstal.exe (UACMe 64)

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Detects the pattern of UAC Bypass using a msconfig GUI hack (UACMe 55)

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Detects the pattern of UAC Bypass using NTFS reparse point and wusa.exe DLL hijacking (UACMe 36)

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Detects the pattern of UAC Bypass using Windows Media Player osksupport.dll (UACMe 32)

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Detects creation of a file named "wpbbin" in the "%systemroot%\system32" directory. Which could be indicative of UEFI based persistence method

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Detects the creation of files with scripting or executable extensions by Mysql daemon. Which could be an indicator of "User Defined Functions" abuse to download malware.

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Detects creation of ".vhd"/".vhdx" files by browser processes. Malware can use mountable Virtual Hard Disk ".vhd" files to encapsulate payloads and evade security controls.

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Detects the creation or modification of a vscode related powershell profile which could indicate suspicious activity as the profile can be used as a mean of persistence

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Detects WerFault creating a dump file with a name that indicates that the dump file could be an LSASS process memory, which contains user credentials

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Detects Windows executables that write files with suspicious extensions

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Detects Windows shells and scripting applications that write files to suspicious folders

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Detects the creation or modification of the Windows Terminal Profile settings file "settings.json" by an uncommon process.

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Detects the creation of binaries in the WinSxS folder by non-system processes

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Detects file writes of WMI script event consumer

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Detects the creation of the default output filename used by the wmiexec tool

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Detects a threat actor creating a file named wbemcomn.dll in the C:\Windows\System32\wbem\ directory over the network and loading it for a WMI DLL Hijack scenario.

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Aversaries may use to interact with a remote network share using Server Message Block (SMB). This technique is used by post-exploitation frameworks.

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Detects a file ending in jse, vbe, js, vba, vbs written by cscript.exe or wscript.exe

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