Windows CMD for /f Tokens= with Recursive Dir Listing

Flags cmd.exe for /f loops using tokens= with recursive dir enumeration in the command line and parent.

FreeReviewedSigma · Medium · v1

Product: windows
Category: process_creation
Author: Joseliyo Sanchez, @Joseliyo_Jstnk (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published: 2025-11-12
Updated: 2026-07-30

ATT&CK techniques

Execution → Defense Evasion

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
- T1059.003Windows Command Shell
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
- T1027.010Command Obfuscation
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule flags process creation events where cmd.exe command lines include a for /f loop with tokens= and an in ( dir ... ) style recursive directory listing pattern. Such command-line composition can be used to dynamically enumerate files and drive subsequent actions, which is a common step in stealthy execution chains. The detection relies on Windows process creation telemetry capturing the full command line for both the process and its parent.

Reporting behind it

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Windows CMD for /f Tokens= with Recursive Dir Listing

Pivot detection · T1059.003 · 9 related

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

windows-cmd-for-f-tokens-with-recursive-dir-listing-2782fbd8

title: Windows CMD for /f Tokens= with Recursive Dir Listing
id: b7cc34a9-c828-4522-a6c5-afee9cac05c7
status: experimental
description: This rule flags process creation events where cmd.exe command lines include a for /f loop with tokens= and an in ( dir ... ) style recursive directory listing pattern. Such command-line composition can be used to dynamically enumerate files and drive subsequent actions, which is a common step in stealthy execution chains. The detection relies on Windows process creation telemetry capturing the full command line for both the process and its parent.
references:
  - https://www.virustotal.com/gui/file/29837d0d3202758063185828c8f8d9e0b7b42b365c8941cc926d2d7c7bae2fb3
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_susp_cmd_for_loop_execution_with_recursive_directory_search.yml
author: Joseliyo Sanchez, @Joseliyo_Jstnk, Huntrule Team
date: 2025-11-12
tags:
  - attack.execution
  - attack.stealth
  - attack.t1059.003
  - attack.t1027.010
logsource:
  category: process_creation
  product: windows
detection:
  selection_tokens:
    CommandLine|contains|all:
      - for /f
      - tokens=
      - in (
      - dir
  selection_tokens_parent:
    ParentCommandLine|contains|all:
      - for /f
      - tokens=
      - in (
      - dir
  condition: 1 of selection_*
falsepositives:
  - Unknown
level: medium
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: 2782fbd8-b662-4eb5-9962-5bfbfb671e7b
    type: derived

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