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

ATT&CK techniques

Defense Evasion

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
- T1218System Binary Proxy Execution
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

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

Pivot detection · T1218 · 9 related

Changelog

v2

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

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

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