Possible Command Line Path Traversal Evasion Attempt (via process_creation)

title: Possible Command Line Path Traversal Evasion Attempt (via process_creation)
id: 3f107439-4b18-5939-90e6-2c5b7abf6e12
status: stable
description: This rule detects potential evasion or obfuscation attempts using bogus path traversal via the commandline
references:
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1036/
    - https://twitter.com/hexacorn/status/1448037865435320323
    - https://twitter.com/Gal_B1t/status/1062971006078345217
author: Huntrule Team
date: 2026-03-20
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1036
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_1:
        Image|contains: '\Windows\'
        CommandLine|contains:
            - '\..\Windows\'
            - '\..\System32\'
            - '\..\..\'
    selection_2:
        CommandLine|contains: '.exe\..\'
    filter_optional_google_drive:
        CommandLine|contains: '\Google\Drive\googledrivesync.exe\..\'
    filter_optional_citrix:
        CommandLine|contains: '\Citrix\Virtual Smart Card\Citrix.Authentication.VirtualSmartcard.Launcher.exe\..\'
    condition: 1 of selection_* and not 1 of filter_optional_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium