Windows: Detect csvde.exe Active Directory export to CSV

ATT&CK techniques

Discovery

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
- T1087.002Domain Account
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule identifies execution of csvde.exe used to export Active Directory information to a file, based on process creation telemetry and specific command-line arguments. Attackers can use this to enumerate directory structure and prepare data for further discovery or exfiltration. The detection relies on matching the process image or OriginalFileName for csvde.exe and requiring the presence of a CSV export parameter (-f) while excluding import-style usage (-i).

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1087.002 — drag to rearrange

Suspicious Active Directory Reconnaissance via ADExplorer or ADRecon (via process_creation)

Suspicious Service Principal Name Enumeration via Setspn by UAT-8837

Malicious Active Directory Enumeration via SharpHound or BloodHound (via process_creation)

Suspicious Group Discovery - Command (via process_creation)

SharpHound Host Enumeration Over Kerberos (via security)

SPN Enumeration Previous to Kerberoasting Attack - Native Commands (via process_creation)

Suspicious Active Directory Enumeration via AD Explorer Snapshot Process Creation

Malicious Account Added to Domain Admins Group via net Command

Suspicious Remote Connection to ADWS Port 9389 via security

Windows: Detect csvde.exe Active Directory export to CSV

Pivot detection · T1087.002 · 9 related

Changelog

v2

v2
Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
v1
No changelog recorded for this version.2026-07-30

Detection content is published as a reviewed draft. Tune thresholds and exclusions against your own telemetry before enabling this rule for alerting.

windows-active-directory-export-using-csvde-exe-e5d36acd

title: "Windows: Detect csvde.exe Active Directory export to CSV"
id: c58231c8-4935-4f51-9ad4-739567f84182
status: test
description: This rule identifies execution of csvde.exe used to export Active Directory information to a file, based on process creation telemetry and specific command-line arguments. Attackers can use this to enumerate directory structure and prepare data for further discovery or exfiltration. The detection relies on matching the process image or OriginalFileName for csvde.exe and requiring the presence of a CSV export parameter (-f) while excluding import-style usage (-i).
references:
  - https://www.cybereason.com/blog/research/operation-ghostshell-novel-rat-targets-global-aerospace-and-telecoms-firms
  - https://web.archive.org/web/20180725233601/https://www.pwc.co.uk/cyber-security/pdf/cloud-hopper-annex-b-final.pdf
  - https://businessinsights.bitdefender.com/deep-dive-into-a-backdoordiplomacy-attack-a-study-of-an-attackers-toolkit
  - https://redcanary.com/blog/msix-installers/
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_csvde_export.yml
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), Huntrule Team
date: 2023-03-14
tags:
  - attack.exfiltration
  - attack.discovery
  - attack.t1087.002
logsource:
  category: process_creation
  product: windows
detection:
  selection_img:
    - Image|endswith: \csvde.exe
    - OriginalFileName: csvde.exe
  selection_remote:
    CommandLine|contains: " -f"
  filter_import:
    CommandLine|contains: " -i"
  condition: all of selection_* and not 1 of filter_*
falsepositives:
  - Unknown
level: medium
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: e5d36acd-acb4-4c6f-a13f-9eb203d50099
    type: derived

Convert

This rule as a query you can run. Uses no unlock credit.

SplunkSPL