File Decoded From Base64/Hex Via Certutil.EXE
Detects the execution of certutil with either the "decode" or "decodehex" flags to decode base64 or hex encoded files. This can be abused by attackers to decode an encoded payload before execution
Detection logic
Detection requirements
- Platform
- ESXiLinuxmacOSNetwork DevicesWindows
The rule states no platform. This is derived from the ATT&CK technique it maps to.
- Log source product
- windows
- Log source category
- process_creation
Known benign triggers
- Unknown
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 |
|---|---|
| learn.microsoft.com/en-us/archive/blogs/pki/basic-crl-checking-with-certutil | Only this detection cites it |
| learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/certutil | 6 |
| lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/Binaries/Certutil/ | 6from 2 sources |
| news.sophos.com/en-us/2021/04/13/compromised-exchange-server-hosting-cryptojacker-targeting-other-exchange-servers/ | 4 |
| twitter.com/JohnLaTwC/status/835149808817991680 | Only this detection cites it |
| unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/new-babyshark-malware-targets-u-s-national-security-think-tanks/ | 2 |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- cc9cbe82-7bc0-4ef5-bc23-bbfb83947be7
- Tagged by the source as
- attack.stealth
Licence
- Published under
- Detection Rule License 1.1Read the licence
- Attribution
- Required
Authorship
- Published
- Aug 26, 2026
- Version
- 1