Suspicious SimpleHelp Remote Access Tool Dropped In ProgramData Root

ATT&CK techniques

C2

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
- T1219Remote Access Tools
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects the SimpleHelp remote-access binary access.exe executing from the root of the ProgramData directory, the drop location used by the actors exploiting CVE-2026-1731. Deploying a legitimate RMM tool from an unusual path gives the operator persistent hands-on access after exploitation. The ProgramData-root location distinguishes the malicious deployment from a normal install.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1219 — drag to rearrange

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Suspicious AnyDesk Unattended Access Password Set via Command Line (via process_creation)

Suspicious PowerShell Spawned by Komari Monitoring Agent

Malicious Command Shell Spawned by Bomgar Remote Support Client

Suspicious Winpty Agent Spawned by Net Monitor Employee Monitoring Process

Suspicious PowerShell Spawned by ScreenConnect Remote Access Client

Suspicious SimpleHelp Remote Access Tool Dropped In ProgramData Root

Pivot detection · T1219 · 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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