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
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 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
- 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
- lifars.comhttps://www.lifars.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/GriefRansomware_Whitepaper-2.pdf
- zscaler.comhttps://www.zscaler.com/blogs/security-research/technical-analysis-crytox-ransomware
- research.checkpoint.comhttps://research.checkpoint.com/2022/evilplayout-attack-against-irans-state-broadcaster/
- github.comhttps://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_diskshadow_script_mode_susp_ext.yml
Changelog
v2- 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.
windows-diskshadow-script-mode-execution-with-uncommon-script-extension-1dde5376
title: Windows Diskshadow Script Mode Executes Script File with Uncommon .txt Extension
id: 9ec308d0-e715-4c7e-a5a6-62e12e66f2f2
related:
- id: fa1a7e52-3d02-435b-81b8-00da14dd66c1
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: similar
- id: 1dde5376-a648-492e-9e54-4241dd9b0c7f
type: derived
status: test
description: 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.
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://www.lifars.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/GriefRansomware_Whitepaper-2.pdf
- https://www.zscaler.com/blogs/security-research/technical-analysis-crytox-ransomware
- https://research.checkpoint.com/2022/evilplayout-attack-against-irans-state-broadcaster/
- https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_diskshadow_script_mode_susp_ext.yml
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), Huntrule Team
date: 2023-09-15
modified: 2024-03-05
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1218
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection_img:
- OriginalFileName: diskshadow.exe
- Image|endswith: \diskshadow.exe
selection_flag:
CommandLine|contains|windash: "-s "
filter_main_ext:
CommandLine|contains: .txt
condition: all of selection_* and not 1 of filter_main_*
falsepositives:
- False postitve might occur with legitimate or uncommon extensions used internally. Initial baseline is required.
level: medium
license: DRL-1.1