Suspicious sha256sum.exe Execution from Windows Temp Directory

ATT&CK techniques

Impact

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact
- T1485Data Destruction
- T1561.002Disk Structure Wipe

What it detects

This rule detects a binary named sha256sum.exe executing from C:\Windows\Temp, the masqueraded filename PathWiper used for its wiper component. A legitimate-sounding hashing utility running from Windows Temp rather than a standard install location is the destructive payload disguised to evade casual inspection before it overwrites NTFS structures.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1485 — drag to rearrange

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Suspicious S3 Lifecycle Policy Set for Rapid Object Deletion

Malicious PathWiper Loader Script Execution from Windows Temp via WScript

Suspicious Free Space Wipe via cipher.exe

Suspicious Secure Deletion of Free Space via Cipher (via process_creation)

Suspicious sha256sum.exe Execution from Windows Temp Directory

Pivot detection · T1485 · 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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