Windows file indicators for Octopus Scanner malware artifacts
Alerts on Windows file activity for Octopus Scanner-related filenames (Cache134.dat, ExplorerSync.db) in AppData.
- Product
- windows
- Category
- file_event
- Author
- NVISO (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
- Published
- 2020-06-09
- Updated
- 2026-07-31
ATT&CK techniques
Initial AccessRecon
Resource Dev
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact
What it detects
This rule matches Windows file events where the target filename ends with specific artifact paths associated with Octopus Scanner malware. Attackers and malicious installers may use these files during initial access or execution, making their presence a strong indicator of compromise. The detection relies on Windows file event telemetry that records the target filename for filesystem activity.
Reporting behind it
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.
title: Windows file indicators for Octopus Scanner malware artifacts
id: ff0e62c4-65e7-4e4a-9332-7ede4c671502
status: test
description: This rule matches Windows file events where the target filename ends with specific artifact paths associated with Octopus Scanner malware. Attackers and malicious installers may use these files during initial access or execution, making their presence a strong indicator of compromise. The detection relies on Windows file event telemetry that records the target filename for filesystem activity.
references:
- https://securitylab.github.com/research/octopus-scanner-malware-open-source-supply-chain
- https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/file/file_event/file_event_win_mal_octopus_scanner.yml
author: NVISO, Huntrule Team
date: 2020-06-09
modified: 2021-11-27
tags:
- attack.initial-access
- attack.t1195
- attack.t1195.001
logsource:
product: windows
category: file_event
detection:
selection:
TargetFilename|endswith:
- \AppData\Local\Microsoft\Cache134.dat
- \AppData\Local\Microsoft\ExplorerSync.db
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
license: DRL-1.1
related:
- id: 805c55d9-31e6-4846-9878-c34c75054fe9
type: derived