Suspicious Active Directory Database Snapshot Through ADExplorer (via process_creation)

title: Suspicious Active Directory Database Snapshot Through ADExplorer (via process_creation)
id: 12f6ad5f-9cd2-5185-972c-4bb3991b9383
status: stable
description: This rule detects the execution of Sysinternals ADExplorer with the "-snapshot" flag to save a local copy of the active directory database. This can be used by adversaries to extract data for Bloodhound, usernames for password spraying or use the meta data for social engineering. The snapshot doesn't contain password hashes but there have been cases, where administrators put passwords in the comment field.
references:
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1482/
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1069/002/
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1087/002/
    - https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/5743766-Global-Threat-Report-2019.html
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/de-de/sysinternals/downloads/adexplorer
    - https://github.com/c3c/ADExplorerSnapshot.py/tree/f700904defac330802bbfedd1d8ffd9248f4ee24
    - https://www.packetlabs.net/posts/scattered-spider-is-a-young-ransomware-gang-exploiting-large-corporations/
    - https://www.nccgroup.com/us/research-blog/lapsus-recent-techniques-tactics-and-procedures/
    - https://trustedsec.com/blog/adexplorer-on-engagements
author: Huntrule Team
date: 2026-04-11
tags:
    - attack.discovery
    - attack.t1087.002
    - attack.t1069.002
    - attack.t1482
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_img:
        - Image|endswith:
              - '\ADExp.exe'
              - '\ADExplorer.exe'
              - '\ADExplorer64.exe'
              - '\ADExplorer64a.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'AdExp'
        - Description: 'Active Directory Editor'
        - Product: 'Sysinternals ADExplorer'
    selection_cli:
        CommandLine|contains: 'snapshot'
    condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium