LoFP LoFP / administrators may allow creation of script or exe in this path.

Techniques

Sample rules

Windows User Execution Malicious URL Shortcut File

Description

The following analytic detects the creation of suspicious URL shortcut link files, often used by malware like CHAOS ransomware. It leverages the Endpoint.Filesystem datamodel to identify .url files created outside standard directories, such as Program Files. This activity is significant as it may indicate an attempt to execute malicious code upon system reboot. If confirmed malicious, this could allow an attacker to achieve persistence and execute harmful payloads, potentially leading to further system compromise and data loss.

Detection logic


|tstats `security_content_summariesonly` count min(_time) as firstTime max(_time) as lastTime from datamodel=Endpoint.Filesystem where NOT(Filesystem.file_path IN ("*\\Program Files*")) Filesystem.file_name = *.url by Filesystem.file_create_time Filesystem.process_id  Filesystem.file_name Filesystem.user Filesystem.file_path Filesystem.process_guid Filesystem.dest 
| `drop_dm_object_name(Filesystem)` 
| `security_content_ctime(firstTime)` 
| `security_content_ctime(lastTime)` 
| `windows_user_execution_malicious_url_shortcut_file_filter`

Windows Boot or Logon Autostart Execution In Startup Folder

Description

The following analytic detects the creation of files in the Windows %startup% folder, a common persistence technique. It leverages the Endpoint.Filesystem data model to identify file creation events in this specific directory. This activity is significant because adversaries often use the startup folder to ensure their malicious code executes automatically upon system boot or user logon. If confirmed malicious, this could allow attackers to maintain persistence on the host, potentially leading to further system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive information.

Detection logic


|tstats `security_content_summariesonly` count min(_time) as firstTime max(_time) as lastTime from datamodel=Endpoint.Filesystem where Filesystem.file_path = "*\\Microsoft\\Windows\\Start Menu\\Programs\\Startup\\*" by Filesystem.file_create_time Filesystem.process_id Filesystem.file_name Filesystem.user Filesystem.file_path Filesystem.process_guid Filesystem.dest 
| `drop_dm_object_name(Filesystem)` 
| `security_content_ctime(firstTime)` 
| `security_content_ctime(lastTime)` 
| `windows_boot_or_logon_autostart_execution_in_startup_folder_filter`