huntrule

Windows Diskshadow Script Mode Executes Script File with Uncommon .txt Extension

Alerts when diskshadow.exe runs with -s script mode and the script path/command includes an uncommon extension like .txt.

FreeReviewedSigma · Medium · v2
Product
windows
Category
process_creation
Author
Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems) (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2023-09-15
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 process creation where diskshadow.exe is started in script mode (using the -s flag) and the command line contains a .txt script extension. Attackers may use Diskshadow’s scripting capability to automate actions and improve stealth by executing external script content. The detection relies on Windows process creation telemetry, matching diskshadow.exe execution and specific command-line patterns, including the presence of the .txt extension.

Reporting behind it

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Windows Diskshadow Script Mode Executes Script File with Uncommon .txt Extension
Pivot detection · T1218 · 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.