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
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
- .vbsfilter_main
TargetFilename|startswith: C:\Users\
TargetFilename|contains:
- \AppData\Local\
- \AppData\LocalLow\
- \AppData\Roaming\Condition
selection and not filter_mainRaw 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: highFalse positives
- Unlikely
References
Internal Research
Similar rules
Created Files by Microsoft Sync Center
mediumwindows · Same logsource category (file_event)
Creation Of Non-Existent System DLL
mediumwindows · Same logsource category (file_event)
Creation of WerFault.exe/Wer.dll in Unusual Folder
mediumwindows · Same logsource category (file_event)
DLL Search Order Hijackig Via Additional Space in Path
highwindows · Same logsource category (file_event)