Suspicious Hidden Local Account Creation Via Net User
- Product
- windows
- Category
- process_creation
- Author
- HuntRule
- Published
- 2026-05-20
- Updated
- 2026-08-28
ATT&CK techniques
PersistenceRecon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact
What it detects
This rule detects creation of a local account whose name ends with a dollar sign using net user with the add flag. DragonRank created a hidden admins$ local account to maintain access on compromised web servers. Appending a trailing dollar sign hides the account from casual net user enumeration making this a stealthy persistence and account-manipulation move.
Reporting behind it
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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Also included
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