Suspicious Diskshadow Script Mode - Uncommon Script Extension Execution (via process_creation)

title: Suspicious Diskshadow Script Mode - Uncommon Script Extension Execution (via process_creation)
id: 35fbf608-c8f2-566e-81ec-22f8dffbec01
status: stable
description: This rule detects execution of "Diskshadow.exe" in script mode to execute a script with a potentially uncommon extension. Initial baselining of the allowed extension list is required.
references:
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1218/
    - https://bohops.com/2018/03/26/diskshadow-the-return-of-vss-evasion-persistence-and-active-directory-database-extraction/
    - https://www.ired.team/offensive-security/credential-access-and-credential-dumping/ntds.dit-enumeration
    - https://medium.com/@cyberjyot/lolbin-execution-via-diskshadow-f6ff681a27a4
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/diskshadow
    - https://www.lifars.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/GriefRansomware_Whitepaper-2.pdf
    - https://www.zscaler.com/blogs/security-research/technical-analysis-crytox-ransomware
    - https://research.checkpoint.com/2022/evilplayout-attack-against-irans-state-broadcaster/
author: Huntrule Team
date: 2026-06-16
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1218
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_img:
        - OriginalFileName: 'diskshadow.exe'
        - Image|endswith: '\diskshadow.exe'
    selection_flag:
        CommandLine|contains|windash: '-s '
    filter_main_ext:
        CommandLine|contains: '.txt'
    condition: all of selection_* and not 1 of filter_main_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium