Windows Findstr GPP Discovery
The following analytic detects the use of the findstr command to search for unsecured credentials in Group Policy Preferences (GPP). It leverages data from Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) agents, focusing on…
Description
The following analytic detects the use of the findstr command to search for unsecured credentials in Group Policy Preferences (GPP). It leverages data from Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) agents, focusing on command-line executions involving findstr.exe with references to SYSVOL and cpassword. This activity is significant because it indicates an attempt to locate and potentially decrypt embedded credentials in GPP, which could lead to unauthorized access. If confirmed malicious, this could allow an attacker to escalate privileges or gain access to sensitive systems and data within the domain.
Detection logic
Detection requirements
- Platform
- Windows
The rule states no platform. This is derived from the ATT&CK technique it maps to.
- Log source category
- crowdstrike_processrollup2sysmon_eventid_1windows_event_log_security_4688
Known benign triggers
- Administrators may leverage findstr to find passwords in GPO to validate exposure. Filter as needed.
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 |
|---|---|
| adsecurity.org/?p=2288 | 3from 2 sources |
| attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1552/006/ | 2 |
| pentestlab.blog/2017/03/20/group-policy-preferences/ | 2 |
| support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/ms14-025-vulnerability-in-group-policy-preferences-could-allow-elevation-of-privilege-may-13-2014-60734e15-af79-26ca-ea53-8cd617073c30 | 2 |
| www.hackingarticles.in/credential-dumping-group-policy-preferences-gpp/ | 2 |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- 1631ac2d-f2a9-42fa-8a59-d6e210d472f5
- Tagged by the source as
- Active Directory Privilege EscalationEndpointendpointSplunk 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
- Aug 26, 2026
- Version
- 1