Windows Curl Upload to Remote Destination
The following analytic detects the use of Windows Curl.exe to upload a file to a remote destination. It identifies command-line arguments such as `-T`, `--upload-file`, `-d`, `--data`, and `-F` in process execution…
Description
The following analytic detects the use of Windows Curl.exe to upload a file to a remote destination. It identifies command-line arguments such as `-T`, `--upload-file`, `-d`, `--data`, and `-F` in process execution logs. This activity is significant because adversaries may use Curl to exfiltrate data or upload malicious payloads. If confirmed malicious, this could lead to data breaches or further compromise of the system. Analysts should review parallel processes and network logs to determine if the upload was successful and isolate the endpoint if necessary.
Detection logic
Detection requirements
- Platform
- ESXiLinuxmacOSNetwork DevicesWindows
The rule states no platform. This is derived from the ATT&CK technique it maps to.
Known benign triggers
- False positives may be limited to source control applications and may be required to be filtered out.
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 |
|---|---|
| everything.curl.dev/usingcurl/uploads | 2from 2 sources |
| github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/388942adbd9641f4dfdcf079d7efe9a75ec0ac43/atomics/T1105/T1105.yaml#L501 | 10 |
| techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/containers/tar-and-curl-come-to-windows/ba-p/382409 | Only this detection cites it |
| twitter.com/d1r4c/status/1279042657508081664?s=20 | Only this detection cites it |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- 42f8f1a2-4228-11ec-aade-acde48001122
- Tagged by the source as
- Axios Supply Chain Post CompromiseCisco Network Visibility Module AnalyticsCompromised Windows HostIngress Tool TransferMicrosoft WSUS CVE-2025-59287NPM Supply Chain CompromisePromptLockEndpointendpointSplunk CloudSplunk EnterpriseSplunk Enterprise Securityendpoint
Licence
- Published under
- Apache License 2.0Read the licence
- Attribution
- Required
- Obtained under
- Apache-2.0Read the origin licence
Authorship
- Written by
- Published
- Oct 13, 2026
- Version
- 2