Possible C2 via Google Sheets API Using Formula Render Option by GRIDTIDE

PremiumReviewedSigma · Medium · v1
Category
proxy
Author
HuntRule
Published
2026-10-13
Updated
2026-10-13

ATT&CK techniques

C2 → Exfiltration
  1. Recon

  2. Resource Dev

  3. Initial Access

  4. Execution

  5. Persistence

  6. Priv Esc

  7. Defense Evasion

  8. Cred Access

  9. Discovery

  10. Lateral Movement

  11. Collection

  12. Impact

What it detects

This rule detects requests to the Google Sheets API using the valueRenderOption set to FORMULA which the GRIDTIDE backdoor abuses to read tasking hidden inside spreadsheet formulas. Attackers use this legitimate cloud service as a covert command and control and exfiltration channel.

Related detections9 linkedT1071.001 — drag to rearrange
Proxy User-Agent Matching APT40 Dropbox Tool on api.dropbox.com
Malicious BRICKSTORM C2 over WebSocket to Cloudflare Workers Domain (via proxy)
Possible Proxyware SDK Beacon With Telemetry Parameters
Suspicious UNC1549 Azure C2 Beacon to News Notifications URI Pattern (via proxy)
Suspicious Rclone Data Transfer to Cloud Storage (via process_creation)
Suspicious macOS ClickFix Execution Piping curl to zsh via UNC1069
Suspicious Microsoft 365 File Download with Scripting User Agent and Spoofed Office Client (via m365)
Possible Residential Proxyware Beacon to PacketSDK Infrastructure
Possible GhostContainer Exchange Backdoor C2 Request via OWA (via webserver)
Possible C2 via Google Sheets API Using Formula Render Option by GRIDTIDE
Pivot detection · T1071.001 · 9 related

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