Possible Private Keys Recon Through CommandLine Utilities (via process_creation)

title: Possible Private Keys Recon Through CommandLine Utilities (via process_creation)
id: 32543775-2b5c-59d6-9ab2-31365bcd527b
status: stable
description: This rule detects threat actors may search for private key certificate files on compromised systems for insecurely stored credential
references:
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1552/004/
    - https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1552.004/T1552.004.md
author: Huntrule Team
date: 2026-07-26
tags:
    - attack.credential-access
    - attack.t1552.004
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_cmd_img:
        - Image|endswith: '\cmd.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'Cmd.Exe'
    selection_cmd_cli:
        CommandLine|contains: 'dir '
    selection_pwsh_img:
        - Image|endswith:
              - '\powershell.exe'
              - '\pwsh.exe'
        - OriginalFileName:
              - 'PowerShell.EXE'
              - 'pwsh.dll'
    selection_pwsh_cli:
        CommandLine|contains: 'Get-ChildItem '
    selection_findstr:
        - Image|endswith: '\findstr.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'FINDSTR.EXE'
    selection_ext:
        CommandLine|contains:
            - '.key'
            - '.pgp'
            - '.gpg'
            - '.ppk'
            - '.p12'
            - '.pem'
            - '.pfx'
            - '.cer'
            - '.p7b'
            - '.asc'
    condition: selection_ext and (all of selection_cmd_* or all of selection_pwsh_* or selection_findstr)
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium