Windows: Detect Cmd.exe Redirection of Discovery Commands by Ursnif

Flags explorer-launched cmd.exe commands that use /C and redirect output to AppData local temp .bin files.

FreeReviewedSigma · High · v5

Product: windows
Category: process_creation
Author: @kostastsale (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published: 2023-07-16
Updated: 2026-07-31

ATT&CK techniques

Execution

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
- T1059Command and Scripting Interpreter
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule identifies a specific execution pattern where a cmd.exe process launched from explorer.exe runs a command containing '/C ' and redirects output to a temporary .bin file under AppData\local\temp\*.bin. Attackers commonly use command execution and output redirection during staging to capture discovery results or prepare follow-on steps. The detection relies on process creation telemetry, including parent image, command line content, and the presence of the output redirection target path.

Reporting behind it

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Windows: Detect Cmd.exe Redirection of Discovery Commands by Ursnif

Pivot detection · T1059 · 9 related

Changelog

v5
Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
v4
Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
v3
Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
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-cmd-exe-redirection-to-appdata-temp-bin-during-explorer-initiated-execut-7aaa5739

title: "Windows: Detect Cmd.exe Redirection of Discovery Commands by Ursnif"
id: e54ffde2-83de-460b-b990-59a577b07f9e
status: test
description: This rule identifies a specific execution pattern where a cmd.exe process launched from explorer.exe runs a command containing '/C ' and redirects output to a temporary .bin file under AppData\local\temp\*.bin. Attackers commonly use command execution and output redirection during staging to capture discovery results or prepare follow-on steps. The detection relies on process creation telemetry, including parent image, command line content, and the presence of the output redirection target path.
references:
  - Internal Research
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules-emerging-threats/2023/Malware/Ursnif/proc_creation_win_malware_ursnif_cmd_redirection.yml
author: "@kostastsale, Huntrule Team"
date: 2023-07-16
tags:
  - attack.execution
  - attack.t1059
  - detection.emerging-threats
logsource:
  category: process_creation
  product: windows
detection:
  selection:
    ParentImage|endswith: \explorer.exe
    Image|endswith: \cmd.exe
    CommandLine|contains|all:
      - "/C "
      - " >> *\\AppData\\local\\temp\\*.bin"
  condition: selection
falsepositives:
  - Unlikely
level: high
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: 7aaa5739-12fc-41aa-b98b-23ec27d42bdf
    type: derived

Convert

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