MediumSplunk security content Jose Hernandez +3

Windows AdFind Exe

Description

The following analytic identifies the execution of `adfind.exe` standalone or with specific command-line arguments related to Active Directory queries. It leverages data from Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) agents, focusing on process names, command-line arguments, and parent Processes. This activity is significant because `adfind.exe` is a powerful tool often used by threat actors like Wizard Spider and FIN6 to gather sensitive AD information. If confirmed malicious, this activity could allow attackers to map the AD environment, facilitating further attacks such as privilege escalation or lateral movement.

Detection logic

Detection requirements

Platform: ESXi Linux macOS Network Devices Windows
The rule states no platform. This is derived from the ATT&CK technique it maps to.
Log source category: crowdstrike_processrollup2 sysmon_eventid_1 windows_event_log_security_4688

Known benign triggers

ADfind is a command-line tool for AD administration and management that is seen to be leveraged by various adversaries. Filter out legitimate administrator usage using the filter macro.

References

Links the source published beside this detection. Reference is the link the source wrote, unmodified. Class is decided by this catalogue from the host and path, not stated by the source. Cited by counts published detections citing the same resource, including this one, and the sources beneath it count the repositories this catalogue ingests, which is not the same as independent research.
Reference	Class	Cited by
github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/388942adbd9641f4dfdcf079d7efe9a75ec0ac43/atomics/T1087.002/T1087.002.yaml#L121	Detection test	7
github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/388942adbd9641f4dfdcf079d7efe9a75ec0ac43/atomics/T1087.002/T1087.002.yaml#L146	Detection test	7
github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/388942adbd9641f4dfdcf079d7efe9a75ec0ac43/atomics/T1087.002/T1087.002.yaml#L378	Detection test	7
github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/388942adbd9641f4dfdcf079d7efe9a75ec0ac43/atomics/T1087.002/T1087.002.yaml#L399	Detection test	7
github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/388942adbd9641f4dfdcf079d7efe9a75ec0ac43/atomics/T1087.002/T1087.002.yaml#L71	Detection test	7
github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/388942adbd9641f4dfdcf079d7efe9a75ec0ac43/atomics/T1087.002/T1087.002.yaml#L96	Detection test	7
thedfirreport.com/2023/05/22/icedid-macro-ends-in-nokoyawa-ransomware/	Threat report	12
www.joeware.net/freetools/tools/adfind/index.htm	Unclassified	Only this detection cites it
www.mandiant.com/resources/a-nasty-trick-from-credential-theft-malware-to-business-disruption	Threat report	Only this detection cites it
www.volexity.com/blog/2020/12/14/dark-halo-leverages-solarwinds-compromise-to-breach-organizations/	Threat report	5from 2 sources

Detection rules

Windows AdFind Exe

Description

Detection logic

Detection requirements

Known benign triggers

MITRE ATT&CK mappings

References

From the source

Licence

Authorship

Detection rules