huntrule

Windows DNS Client Query for .onion and Tor-related Domains

Alerts on Windows DNS queries resolving .onion and related Tor/hidden-service domains.

FreeReviewedSigma · High · v2
Product
windows
Service
dns-client
Author
Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems) (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2022-02-20
Updated
2026-07-31
AnalysisDetection

ATT&CK techniques

C2

  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 Microsoft Windows DNS Client events where a queried name matches .onion and Tor-related domain patterns associated with hidden services and Tor gateways. Attackers may use these lookups to reach onion services or blend Tor usage into normal network activity. The detection relies on DNS Client telemetry capturing DNS queries, including EventID 3008 and the queried name field (QueryName).

Reporting behind it

Related detections2 linkedT1090.003 — drag to rearrange
Windows Process Execution of Tor or Tor Browser (tor.exe / Firefox-based)
Windows Sysmon DNS Query to .onion or Tor Gateway Domains
Windows DNS Client Query for .onion and Tor-related Domains
Pivot detection · T1090.003 · 2 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.