Windows Diskshadow Script Mode Execution via /s Flag
Alerts when Diskshadow is executed in script mode using the /s flag.
- Product
- windows
- Category
- process_creation
- Author
- Ivan Dyachkov, oscd.community (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
- Published
- 2020-10-07
- Updated
- 2026-07-31
ATT&CK techniques
Defense EvasionRecon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact
What it detects
This rule flags process creation events where Diskshadow is executed in script mode by using the /s flag. Abuse of Diskshadow in this manner can help attackers run scripted actions, including tampering with shadow copies, which may support stealth and persistence goals. Telemetry required is Windows process creation data, specifically the process image name/path and the command-line containing the -s argument.
Reporting behind it
- bohops.comhttps://bohops.com/2018/03/26/diskshadow-the-return-of-vss-evasion-persistence-and-active-directory-database-extraction/
- ired.teamhttps://www.ired.team/offensive-security/credential-access-and-credential-dumping/ntds.dit-enumeration
- medium.comhttps://medium.com/@cyberjyot/lolbin-execution-via-diskshadow-f6ff681a27a4
- learn.microsoft.comhttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/diskshadow
- github.comhttps://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules-threat-hunting/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_diskshadow_script_mode.yml
Changelog
v5- v5Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
- v4Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
- v3Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
- v2Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
- v1No 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.
title: Windows Diskshadow Script Mode Execution via /s Flag
id: f84f10b1-6b3d-40bc-81fb-1e08b8180b1c
related:
- id: fa1a7e52-3d02-435b-81b8-00da14dd66c1
type: similar
- id: 1dde5376-a648-492e-9e54-4241dd9b0c7f
type: similar
- id: 9f546b25-5f12-4c8d-8532-5893dcb1e4b8
type: similar
- id: 56b1dde8-b274-435f-a73a-fb75eb81262a
type: similar
- id: 0c2f8629-7129-4a8a-9897-7e0768f13ff2
type: derived
status: test
description: This rule flags process creation events where Diskshadow is executed in script mode by using the /s flag. Abuse of Diskshadow in this manner can help attackers run scripted actions, including tampering with shadow copies, which may support stealth and persistence goals. Telemetry required is Windows process creation data, specifically the process image name/path and the command-line containing the -s argument.
references:
- https://bohops.com/2018/03/26/diskshadow-the-return-of-vss-evasion-persistence-and-active-directory-database-extraction/
- https://www.ired.team/offensive-security/credential-access-and-credential-dumping/ntds.dit-enumeration
- https://medium.com/@cyberjyot/lolbin-execution-via-diskshadow-f6ff681a27a4
- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/diskshadow
- https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules-threat-hunting/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_diskshadow_script_mode.yml
author: Ivan Dyachkov, oscd.community, Huntrule Team
date: 2020-10-07
modified: 2024-03-13
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1218
- attack.execution
- detection.threat-hunting
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection_img:
- OriginalFileName: diskshadow.exe
- Image|endswith: \diskshadow.exe
selection_cli:
CommandLine|contains|windash: "-s "
condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
- Likely from legitimate backup scripts
level: medium
license: DRL-1.1