ADExplorer Writing Complete AD Snapshot Into .dat File
Detects the dual use tool ADExplorer writing a complete AD snapshot into a .dat file. This can be used by attackers to extract data for Bloodhound, usernames for password spraying or use the meta data for social…
Description
Detects the dual use tool ADExplorer writing a complete AD snapshot into a .dat file. This can be used by attackers to extract data for Bloodhound, usernames for password spraying or use the meta data for social engineering. The snapshot doesn't contain password hashes but there have been cases, where administrators put passwords in the comment field.
Detection logic
Detection requirements
- Platform
- LinuxmacOSWindows
The rule states no platform. This is derived from the 3 ATT&CK techniques it maps to.
- Log source product
- windows
- Log source category
- file_event
Known benign triggers
- Legitimate use of ADExplorer by administrators creating .dat snapshots
MITRE ATT&CK mappings
0 exclusive techniques.This is coverage no other published rule has; it is not this rule's total technique count.
References
| Reference | Cited by |
|---|---|
| github.com/c3c/ADExplorerSnapshot.py/tree/f700904defac330802bbfedd1d8ffd9248f4ee24 | 3 |
| learn.microsoft.com/de-de/sysinternals/downloads/adexplorer | 3 |
| trustedsec.com/blog/adexplorer-on-engagements | 3 |
| www.nccgroup.com/us/research-blog/lapsus-recent-techniques-tactics-and-procedures/ | 3 |
| www.packetlabs.net/posts/scattered-spider-is-a-young-ransomware-gang-exploiting-large-corporations/ | 3 |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- 0a1255c5-d732-4b62-ac02-b5152d34fb83
- Tagged by the source as
- attack.discovery
Licence
- Published under
- Detection Rule License 1.1Read the licence
- Attribution
- Required
Authorship
- Published
- Aug 26, 2026
- Version
- 1