{"id":"efc21479-9e83-41da-8cf1-122e06ba8db3","title":"HackTool - NetExec File Indicators","description":"Detects file creation events indicating NetExec (nxc.exe) execution on the local machine.\nNetExec is a PyInstaller-bundled binary that extracts its embedded data files to a \"_MEI<random>\" directory\nunder the Temp folder upon execution. Files dropped under the \"\\nxc\\\" sub-directory of that\nextraction path are unique to NetExec and serve as reliable on-disk indicators of execution.\nNetExec (formerly CrackMapExec) is a widely used post-exploitation and lateral movement tool used for\nActive Directory enumeration, credential harvesting, and remote code execution.\n","author":"Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel (Nextron Systems)","status":"experimental","level":"high","date":"2026-04-08","modified":"","tags":["attack.execution","attack.lateral-movement","attack.discovery","attack.t1021.002","attack.t1059.005"],"technique_ids":["T1021.002","T1059.005"],"logsource":{"product":"windows","category":"file_event"},"falsepositives":["Unknown"],"references":["https://github.com/Pennyw0rth/NetExec","https://www.netexec.wiki/"],"source_path":"rules/windows/file/file_event/file_event_win_hktl_netexec_file_indicators.yml","source_sha256":"654816e0d428cbc05197a4d053868a3bad25e268762f3fe34d048b0ec5b2be59","source_url":"https://github.com/anpa1200/sigma/blob/b249e9683190cffdcaf188ccbfb90bf4759844e1/rules/windows/file/file_event/file_event_win_hktl_netexec_file_indicators.yml","license":"Detection Rule License 1.1","license_url":"https://github.com/SigmaHQ/Detection-Rule-License/blob/main/LICENSE.Detection.Rules.md","yaml":"title: HackTool - NetExec File Indicators\nid: efc21479-9e83-41da-8cf1-122e06ba8db3\nstatus: experimental\ndescription: |\n    Detects file creation events indicating NetExec (nxc.exe) execution on the local machine.\n    NetExec is a PyInstaller-bundled binary that extracts its embedded data files to a \"_MEI<random>\" directory\n    under the Temp folder upon execution. Files dropped under the \"\\nxc\\\" sub-directory of that\n    extraction path are unique to NetExec and serve as reliable on-disk indicators of execution.\n    NetExec (formerly CrackMapExec) is a widely used post-exploitation and lateral movement tool used for\n    Active Directory enumeration, credential harvesting, and remote code execution.\nreferences:\n    - https://github.com/Pennyw0rth/NetExec\n    - https://www.netexec.wiki/\nauthor: Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel (Nextron Systems)\ndate: 2026-04-08\ntags:\n    - attack.execution\n    - attack.lateral-movement\n    - attack.discovery\n    - attack.t1021.002\n    - attack.t1059.005\nlogsource:\n    product: windows\n    category: file_event\ndetection:\n    selection:\n        - Image|contains: '\\nxc-windows-latest\\'\n        - TargetFilename|contains|all:\n              - '\\Temp\\_MEI'\n              - '\\nxc\\data\\'\n    condition: selection\nfalsepositives:\n    - Unknown\nlevel: high\nregression_tests_path: regression_data/rules/windows/file/file_event/file_event_win_hktl_netexec_file_indicators/info.yml\n","validation":"yaml_parsed_not_backend_compiled_or_live_validated","techniques":[{"key":"enterprise/T1021.002","id":"T1021.002","name":"SMB/Windows Admin Shares","page":"techniques/enterprise/T1021.002/"},{"key":"enterprise/T1059.005","id":"T1059.005","name":"Visual Basic","page":"techniques/enterprise/T1059.005/"}],"data_path":"data/detection-rules/efc21479-9e83-41da-8cf1-122e06ba8db3.json","kind":"sigma"}