Possible AppDomainManager Hijack via Application Config File (via file_event)

PremiumReviewedSigma · Medium · v1
Product
windows
Category
file_event
Author
HuntRule
Published
2026-06-18
Updated
2026-08-28

ATT&CK techniques

Execution → Defense Evasion
  1. Recon

  2. Resource Dev

  3. Initial Access

  4. Cred Access

  5. Discovery

  6. Lateral Movement

  7. Collection

  8. C2

  9. Exfiltration

  10. Impact

What it detects

This rule detects creation of an update.exe.config application configuration file used by Screening Serpens for AppDomainManager injection with ETW disabled. The malicious config forces the .NET runtime to load an attacker assembly and blinds Event Tracing for Windows.

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Malicious Microsoft Defender Critical Security Components Disabled - Command (via process_creation)
Malicious Microsoft Defender Service Deactivation Attempt - Command (via process_creation)
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Possible AppDomainManager Hijack via Application Config File (via file_event)
Pivot detection · T1685 · 9 related

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