Suspicious bitsadmin Download of Python Payload via COLDRIVER

ATT&CK techniques

Execution → C2

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
- T1197BITS Jobs
Persistence
- T1197BITS Jobs
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
- T1197BITS Jobs
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
- T1105Ingress Tool Transfer
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects bitsadmin transferring a Python script such as libsystemhealthcheck.py as used by COLDRIVER to stage its backdoor. Attackers abuse the BITS service as a living off the land download channel that blends with normal update traffic.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1105 — drag to rearrange

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BITS Payload Downloaded via Commandline (via process_creation)

BITS Payload Downloaded via PowerShell (via powershell)

Suspicious sLoad Payload Download via BITSAdmin LOLBin Transfer (via process_creation)

Suspicious File Download via Certutil URLCache

Windows Process Creation: bitsadmin Downloads Files to Suspicious Directories

Suspicious bitsadmin Download of Python Payload via COLDRIVER

Pivot detection · T1105 · 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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