Possible Compressed File Extraction Through Tar.EXE (via process_creation)

title: Possible Compressed File Extraction Through Tar.EXE (via process_creation)
id: 680ba55c-16a2-5f2c-8c86-7a48483f8d10
status: stable
description: This rule detects execution of "tar.exe" to extract compressed file. Adversaries may misuse various utilities to decompress data to avoid detection.
references:
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1560/001/
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1560/
    - https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/chromeloader-malware/
    - https://lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/Binaries/Tar/
    - https://symantec-enterprise-blogs.security.com/blogs/threat-intelligence/cicada-apt10-japan-espionage
author: Huntrule Team
date: 2026-06-25
tags:
    - attack.collection
    - attack.exfiltration
    - attack.t1560
    - attack.t1560.001
logsource:
    product: windows
    category: process_creation
detection:
    selection_img:
        - Image|endswith: '\tar.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'bsdtar'
    selection_extract:
        CommandLine|contains: '-x'
    condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: low