Suspicious Active Directory Structure Export Through Csvde.EXE (via process_creation)

title: Suspicious Active Directory Structure Export Through Csvde.EXE (via process_creation)
id: 1e1dc80a-9963-557c-96e3-42718ed620e7
status: stable
description: This rule detects the execution of "csvde.exe" to export organizational Active Directory structure.
references:
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1087/002/
    - https://www.cybereason.com/blog/research/operation-ghostshell-novel-rat-targets-global-aerospace-and-telecoms-firms
    - https://web.archive.org/web/20180725233601/https://www.pwc.co.uk/cyber-security/pdf/cloud-hopper-annex-b-final.pdf
    - https://businessinsights.bitdefender.com/deep-dive-into-a-backdoordiplomacy-attack-a-study-of-an-attackers-toolkit
    - https://redcanary.com/blog/msix-installers/
author: Huntrule Team
date: 2026-02-01
tags:
    - attack.exfiltration
    - attack.discovery
    - attack.t1087.002
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_img:
        - Image|endswith: '\csvde.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'csvde.exe'
    selection_remote:
        CommandLine|contains: ' -f'
    filter_import:
        CommandLine|contains: ' -i'
    condition: all of selection_* and not 1 of filter_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium