huntrule

Windows: Copying Executable or DLL Files into Default GPO Policies Folder

Alerts when .exe/.dll files are created in the default GPO storage folder path.

FreeReviewedSigma · Medium · v2
Product
windows
Category
file_event
Author
elhoim (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2022-04-28
Updated
2026-07-31
AnalysisDetection

ATT&CK techniques

Defense Evasion

  1. Recon

  2. Resource Dev

  3. Initial Access

  4. Execution

  5. Persistence

  6. Priv Esc

  7. Defense Evasion

  8. Cred Access

  9. Discovery

  10. Lateral Movement

  11. Collection

  12. C2

  13. Exfiltration

  14. Impact

What it detects

This rule identifies file creation events where the target path includes the default GPO storage folder GUID and the file name ends with .exe or .dll. Attackers may stage malicious executables or libraries in GPO-related locations to increase the chance of later execution via policy application. It relies on Windows file event telemetry that provides the created/target filename path and extension.

Reporting behind it

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Suspicious Mimilite Credential Dumper Execution Writing KB-Named Output
Suspicious PikaBot Autorun Persistence Pointing to AppData Microsoft Dropzone via registry_set
Windows: Copying Executable or DLL Files into Default GPO Policies Folder
Pivot detection · T1036.005 · 9 related

Changelog

v2
  1. v2
    Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
  2. 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.