Sigma Rule Library

Suspicious File Creation In Uncommon AppData Folder

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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Detection logic

selection

TargetFilename|startswith: C:\Users\
TargetFilename|contains: \AppData\
TargetFilename|endswith:
  - .bat
  - .cmd
  - .cpl
  - .dll
  - .exe
  - .hta
  - .iso
  - .lnk
  - .msi
  - .ps1
  - .psm1
  - .scr
  - .vbe
  - .vbs

filter_main

TargetFilename|startswith: C:\Users\
TargetFilename|contains:
  - \AppData\Local\
  - \AppData\LocalLow\
  - \AppData\Roaming\

Condition

selection and not filter_main

Raw YAML

title: Suspicious File Creation In Uncommon AppData Folder
id: d7b50671-d1ad-4871-aa60-5aa5b331fe04
status: test
description: 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
references:
    - Internal Research
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2022-08-05
modified: 2023-02-23
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.stealth
logsource:
    product: windows
    category: file_event
detection:
    selection:
        TargetFilename|startswith: 'C:\Users\'
        TargetFilename|contains: '\AppData\'
        TargetFilename|endswith:
            # Add more as needed
            - '.bat'
            - '.cmd'
            - '.cpl'
            - '.dll'
            - '.exe'
            - '.hta'
            - '.iso'
            - '.lnk'
            - '.msi'
            - '.ps1'
            - '.psm1'
            - '.scr'
            - '.vbe'
            - '.vbs'
    filter_main:
        TargetFilename|startswith: 'C:\Users\'
        TargetFilename|contains:
            - '\AppData\Local\'
            - '\AppData\LocalLow\'
            - '\AppData\Roaming\'
    condition: selection and not filter_main
falsepositives:
    - Unlikely
level: high

False positives

  • Unlikely

References

  • Internal Research

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