FTP Connection Open Attempt Via Winscp CLI
Detects the execution of Winscp with the "-command" and the "open" flags in order to open an FTP connection. Akira ransomware was seen using this technique in order to exfiltrate data.
Detection logic
selection_img
- Image|endswith: \WinSCP.exe
- OriginalFileName: winscp.exeselection_cmd
CommandLine|contains|windash: -command
CommandLine|contains|all:
- "open "
- ftp://Condition
all of selection_*Raw YAML
title: FTP Connection Open Attempt Via Winscp CLI
id: c1477deb-37cf-4439-9ffb-44499acb89d0
status: experimental
description: Detects the execution of Winscp with the "-command" and the "open" flags in order to open an FTP connection. Akira ransomware was seen using this technique in order to exfiltrate data.
references:
- https://blogs.blackberry.com/en/2024/07/akira-ransomware-targets-the-latam-airline-industry
author: frack113
date: 2025-10-12
tags:
- attack.exfiltration
- attack.t1048
- detection.threat-hunting
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection_img:
- Image|endswith: '\WinSCP.exe'
- OriginalFileName: 'winscp.exe'
selection_cmd:
CommandLine|contains|windash: '-command'
CommandLine|contains|all:
- 'open '
- 'ftp://' # cover ftp and sftp
condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: mediumFalse positives
- Unknown