Suspicious File Timestamp Manipulation via PowerShell (via process_creation)

ATT&CK techniques

Defense Evasion

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
- T1070.006Timestomp
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects PowerShell setting both CreationTime and LastWriteTime on a file, the hallmark of timestomping used to blend a dropped payload in with legitimate files and defeat timeline analysis. Timestomping is an indicator-removal technique tracked in the Red Canary Threat Detection Report. Detecting these property assignments surfaces anti-forensic tampering with file metadata.

Reporting behind it

Related detections8 linkedT1070.006 — drag to rearrange

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Windows File Creation Time Altered to a Previous Year

PowerShell timestomping via file timestamp property and setter usage (Windows)

macOS process using touch to modify file timestamps and hide file changes

Linux: Detect touch commands used to alter file timestamps with -t/-a/-c/-m/-r flags

Windows Security Event 4616 for System Time Changes by Non-Service Accounts

Suspicious File Timestamp Manipulation via PowerShell (via process_creation)

Pivot detection · T1070.006 · 8 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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