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Windows Symlink Evaluation Change via Fsutil

This analytic detects the execution of the Windows built-in tool Fsutil.exe with the "behavior", "set" and "SymlinkEvaluation" parameters. Attackers can abuse this to alter symlink evaluation behavior on Windows,…

Description

This analytic detects the execution of the Windows built-in tool Fsutil.exe with the "behavior", "set" and "SymlinkEvaluation" parameters. Attackers can abuse this to alter symlink evaluation behavior on Windows, potentially enabling remote traversal over SMB shares or evading defenses. Such changes should be uncommon or even rare in enterprise environments and should be investigated.

Detection logic

Detection requirements

Platform
Windows

The rule states no platform. This is derived from the ATT&CK technique it maps to.

Known benign triggers

  • Edge cases may exist in environments where this command is used for legitimate purposes. However, such usage is expected to be uncommon. It is recommended to investigate any occurrences of this command, and apply filters as necessary.

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