Sigma Rule Library

ISO or Image Mount Indicator in Recent Files

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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Detection logic

selection

TargetFilename|endswith:
  - .iso.lnk
  - .img.lnk
  - .vhd.lnk
  - .vhdx.lnk
TargetFilename|contains: \Microsoft\Windows\Recent\

Condition

selection

Raw YAML

title: ISO or Image Mount Indicator in Recent Files
id: 4358e5a5-7542-4dcb-b9f3-87667371839b
status: test
description: |
    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.
references:
    - https://www.microsoft.com/security/blog/2021/05/27/new-sophisticated-email-based-attack-from-nobelium/
    - https://www.trendmicro.com/vinfo/us/security/news/cybercrime-and-digital-threats/malicious-spam-campaign-uses-iso-image-files-to-deliver-lokibot-and-nanocore
    - https://blog.emsisoft.com/en/32373/beware-new-wave-of-malware-spreads-via-iso-file-email-attachments/
    - https://insights.sei.cmu.edu/blog/the-dangers-of-vhd-and-vhdx-files/
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems)
date: 2022-02-11
tags:
    - attack.initial-access
    - attack.t1566.001
logsource:
    product: windows
    category: file_event
detection:
    selection:
        TargetFilename|endswith:
            - '.iso.lnk'
            - '.img.lnk'
            - '.vhd.lnk'
            - '.vhdx.lnk'
        TargetFilename|contains: '\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Cases in which a user mounts an image file for legitimate reasons
level: medium

False positives

  • Cases in which a user mounts an image file for legitimate reasons

References

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