Suspicious Alternate Data Stream Creation by MuddyWater (via file_event)

ATT&CK techniques

Defense Evasion

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
- T1564.004NTFS File Attributes
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects creation of an alternate data stream named wtfbbq, an NTFS ADS MuddyWater uses to hide payload content from ordinary file listings. Storing data in a named stream conceals it from users and many tools. Detecting this distinctive stream name exposes ADS-based defense evasion.

Reporting behind it

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Suspicious Alternate Data Stream Creation by MuddyWater (via file_event)

Pivot detection · T1564.004 · 9 related

Detection content is published as a reviewed draft. Tune thresholds and exclusions against your own telemetry before enabling this rule for alerting.

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