Credential Manager Access By Unusual Applications (via file_access)

title: Credential Manager Access By Unusual Applications (via file_access)
id: 1fbf09e7-900d-5053-b2be-3dfcd0926e53
status: stable
description: This rule detects anomalous processes based on name and location that access the windows credential manager and vault. That can be a sign of credential stealing. Example case would be use of mimikatz "dpapi::cred" function
references:
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1003/
    - https://hunter2.gitbook.io/darthsidious/privilege-escalation/mimikatz
    - https://www.absolomb.com/2018-01-26-Windows-Privilege-Escalation-Guide/
author: Huntrule Team
date: 2026-03-09
tags:
    - attack.t1003
    - attack.credential-access
logsource:
    category: file_access
    product: windows
    definition: 'Requirements: Microsoft-Windows-Kernel-File ETW provider'
detection:
    selection:
        FileName|contains:
            - '\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Credentials\'
            - '\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials\'
            - '\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Vault\'
            - '\ProgramData\Microsoft\Vault\'
    filter_system_folders:
        Image|startswith:
            - 'C:\Program Files\'
            - 'C:\Program Files (x86)\'
            - 'C:\Windows\system32\'
            - 'C:\Windows\SysWOW64\'
    condition: selection and not 1 of filter_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium