Malicious Abyss Locker wmihelper SSH Backdoor Deployment (via file_event)

ATT&CK techniques

Persistence → C2

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
- T1543.003Windows Service
Priv Esc
- T1543.003Windows Service
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
- T1572Protocol Tunneling
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects creation of the Abyss Locker persistence backdoor, an SSH client wrapped as a service under the Microsoft WMI application data directory together with its private key and service configuration. The actor installed this component as a service named WMI Helper Agent using a service wrapper to maintain covert reverse tunnel access. These paths are not associated with legitimate WMI functionality.

Reporting behind it

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Malicious Abyss Locker wmihelper SSH Backdoor Deployment (via file_event)

Pivot detection · T1543.003 · 9 related

Detection content is published as a reviewed draft. Tune thresholds and exclusions against your own telemetry before enabling this rule for alerting.

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