Masqueraded Executable With Double Image Extension

PremiumReviewedSigma · High · v1
Product
windows
Category
process_creation
Author
HuntRule
Published
2026-09-14
Updated
2026-09-14

ATT&CK techniques

Defense Evasion
  1. Recon

  2. Resource Dev

  3. Initial Access

  4. Execution

  5. Persistence

  6. Priv Esc

  7. Cred Access

  8. Discovery

  9. Lateral Movement

  10. Collection

  11. C2

  12. Exfiltration

  13. Impact

What it detects

This rule detects execution of files carrying a double extension that hides an executable behind an image name such as .jpg.scr, a masquerading trick used by the Phorpiex downloader payloads. Double extensions deceive users and analysts into treating a runnable file as a harmless image.

Related detections8 linkedT1036.007 — drag to rearrange
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Suspicious MSHTA Execution of Polyglot PDF File Spawned by cmd (via process_creation)
Masquerading Noodlophile Payload Execution via Video File Double Extension (via process_creation)
Suspicious Double Extension PDF Executable via Process Creation
Windows Suspicious Double-Extension Execution via Parent Command Line
Windows File Creation: Suspicious LNK Double-Extension Targeted by Document/Image Prefixes
Windows File Events: Flag Files With Double Extensions (e.g., .docx.exe)
Masqueraded Executable With Double Image Extension
Pivot detection · T1036.007 · 8 related

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