Windows: Deno writes files from remote HTTPS content into AppData

Alerts when Deno writes to user AppData while using remote HTTPS download-style paths.

FreeReviewedSigma · Low · v2
Product
windows
Category
file_event
Author
Josh Nickels, Michael Taggart (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2025-05-22
Updated
2026-07-31
title: "Windows: Deno writes files from remote HTTPS content into AppData"
id: 7b502f3c-bf99-4c54-8a9a-a7f567497684
status: experimental
description: This rule matches Windows file events where the target path contains Deno-generated remote HTTPS directories and also includes a user AppData location (e.g., ':\Users\' and '\AppData\'). Attackers may abuse Deno to fetch content over HTTP(s) and place it into writable application data folders to stage execution artifacts. Telemetry relied on is Windows file event data, specifically the TargetFilename path reported by the endpoint.
references:
  - https://taggart-tech.com/evildeno/
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/file/file_event/file_event_win_creation_deno.yml
author: Josh Nickels, Michael Taggart, Huntrule Team
date: 2025-05-22
tags:
  - attack.execution
  - attack.t1204
  - attack.t1059.007
  - attack.command-and-control
  - attack.t1105
logsource:
  category: file_event
  product: windows
detection:
  selection_path:
    TargetFilename|contains:
      - \deno\gen\
      - \deno\remote\https\
    TargetFilename|contains|all:
      - :\Users\
      - \AppData\
  condition: selection_path
falsepositives:
  - Legitimate usage of deno to request a file or bring a DLL to a host
level: low
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: 6c0ce3b6-85e2-49d4-9c3f-6e008ce9796e
    type: derived