Windows User Execution Malicious URL Shortcut File
The following analytic detects the creation URL shortcut files, often used by malware like CHAOS ransomware. It leverages the Endpoint.Filesystem datamodel to identify ".url" files created outside common directories,…
Description
The following analytic detects the creation URL shortcut files, often used by malware like CHAOS ransomware. It leverages the Endpoint.Filesystem datamodel to identify ".url" files created outside common directories, such as "Program Files". This activity can be significant as ".URL" files can be used as mean to trick the user into visiting certain websites unknowingly, or when placed in certain locations such as "\\AppData\\Roaming\\Microsoft\\Windows\\Start Menu\\Programs\\Startup\\", it may allow the execution of malicious code upon system reboot. If confirmed malicious, this could allow an attacker to achieve persistence and execute harmful payloads, potentially leading to further system compromise and data loss.
Detection logic
Detection requirements
- Platform
- LinuxmacOSWindows
The rule states no platform. This is derived from the ATT&CK technique it maps to.
- Log source category
- sysmon_eventid_11
Known benign triggers
- Administrators may allow creation of script or exe in this path.
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 |
|---|---|
| attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1204/002/ | 4 |
| www.fortinet.com/blog/threat-research/chaos-ransomware-variant-sides-with-russia | 3 |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- 5c7ee6ad-baf4-44fb-b2f0-0cfeddf82dbc
- Tagged by the source as
- APT37 Rustonotto and FadeStealerChaos RansomwareNjRATQuasar RATSnake KeyloggerXWormEndpointendpointSplunk CloudSplunk EnterpriseSplunk Enterprise Securityendpoint
Licence
- Published under
- Apache License 2.0Read the licence
- Attribution
- Required
- Obtained under
- Apache-2.0Read the origin licence
Authorship
- Published
- Aug 26, 2026
- Version
- 1