{"id":"28208707-fe31-437f-9a7f-4b1108b94d2e","title":"Suspicious Startup Folder Persistence","description":"Detects the creation of potentially malicious script and executable files in Windows startup folders, which is a common persistence technique used by threat actors.\nThese files (.ps1, .vbs, .js, .bat, etc.) are automatically executed when a user logs in, making the Startup folder an attractive target for attackers.\nThis technique is frequently observed in malvertising campaigns and malware distribution where attackers attempt to maintain long-term access to compromised systems.\n","author":"Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel (Nextron Systems)","status":"test","level":"high","date":"2022-08-10","modified":"2025-10-12","tags":["attack.privilege-escalation","attack.execution","attack.t1204.002","attack.persistence","attack.t1547.001"],"technique_ids":["T1204.002","T1547.001"],"logsource":{"product":"windows","category":"file_event"},"falsepositives":["Rare legitimate usage of some of the extensions mentioned in the rule"],"references":["https://github.com/last-byte/PersistenceSniper","https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2025/03/06/malvertising-campaign-leads-to-info-stealers-hosted-on-github/","https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/5ede8f21e42ebe37e0a6eff757dba60bcfa85859/atomics/T1547.001/T1547.001.md"],"source_path":"rules/windows/file/file_event/file_event_win_susp_startup_folder_persistence.yml","source_sha256":"f9dae1cc14c5541b5512559e278c56d4b36ae288b263741ba694b316c814ebd8","source_url":"https://github.com/anpa1200/sigma/blob/b249e9683190cffdcaf188ccbfb90bf4759844e1/rules/windows/file/file_event/file_event_win_susp_startup_folder_persistence.yml","license":"Detection Rule License 1.1","license_url":"https://github.com/SigmaHQ/Detection-Rule-License/blob/main/LICENSE.Detection.Rules.md","yaml":"title: Suspicious Startup Folder Persistence\nid: 28208707-fe31-437f-9a7f-4b1108b94d2e\nrelated:\n    - id: 2aa0a6b4-a865-495b-ab51-c28249537b75\n      type: similar\nstatus: test\ndescription: |\n    Detects the creation of potentially malicious script and executable files in Windows startup folders, which is a common persistence technique used by threat actors.\n    These files (.ps1, .vbs, .js, .bat, etc.) are automatically executed when a user logs in, making the Startup folder an attractive target for attackers.\n    This technique is frequently observed in malvertising campaigns and malware distribution where attackers attempt to maintain long-term access to compromised systems.\nreferences:\n    - https://github.com/last-byte/PersistenceSniper\n    - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2025/03/06/malvertising-campaign-leads-to-info-stealers-hosted-on-github/\n    - https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/5ede8f21e42ebe37e0a6eff757dba60bcfa85859/atomics/T1547.001/T1547.001.md\nauthor: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel (Nextron Systems)\ndate: 2022-08-10\nmodified: 2025-10-12\ntags:\n    - attack.privilege-escalation\n    - attack.execution\n    - attack.t1204.002\n    - attack.persistence\n    - attack.t1547.001\nlogsource:\n    product: windows\n    category: file_event\ndetection:\n    selection:\n        TargetFilename|contains: '\\Windows\\Start Menu\\Programs\\Startup\\'\n        TargetFilename|endswith:\n            # Add or remove suspicious extensions according to your env needs\n            - '.bat'\n            - '.cmd'\n            - '.dll'\n            - '.hta'\n            - '.jar'\n            - '.js'\n            - '.jse'\n            - '.msi'\n            - '.ps1'\n            - '.psd1'\n            - '.psm1'\n            - '.scr'\n            - '.url'\n            - '.vba'\n            - '.vbe'\n            - '.vbs'\n            - '.wsf'\n    condition: selection\nfalsepositives:\n    - Rare legitimate usage of some of the extensions mentioned in the rule\nlevel: high\n","validation":"yaml_parsed_not_backend_compiled_or_live_validated","techniques":[{"key":"enterprise/T1204.002","id":"T1204.002","name":"Malicious File","page":"techniques/enterprise/T1204.002/"},{"key":"enterprise/T1547.001","id":"T1547.001","name":"Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder","page":"techniques/enterprise/T1547.001/"}],"data_path":"data/detection-rules/28208707-fe31-437f-9a7f-4b1108b94d2e.json","kind":"sigma"}