Possible Office Macro File Creation (via file_event)

title: Possible Office Macro File Creation (via file_event)
id: 79bd3b5f-6941-58ec-a283-80fffeb132e6
status: stable
description: This rule detects the creation of a new office macro files on the systems
references:
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1566/001/
    - https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1566.001/T1566.001.md
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/deployoffice/compat/office-file-format-reference
author: Huntrule Team
date: 2026-01-18
tags:
    - attack.initial-access
    - attack.t1566.001
logsource:
    category: file_event
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        TargetFilename|endswith:
            - '.docm'
            - '.dotm'
            - '.xlsm'
            - '.xltm'
            - '.potm'
            - '.pptm'
    filter_main_office:
        Image|startswith:
            - 'C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\'
            - 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\'
        Image|endswith:
            - '\WINWORD.EXE'
            - '\EXCEL.EXE'
            - '\POWERPNT.EXE'
        TargetFilename|contains: '\~$'
    condition: selection and not 1 of filter_main_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: low