huntrule

Windows File Creation Indicators for Local SAM Database Exports

Alerts on Windows file creations with filenames indicative of a local SAM export or backup artifact.

FreeReviewedSigma · High · v2
Product
windows
Category
file_event
Author
Florian Roth (Nextron Systems) (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2022-02-11
Updated
2026-07-31
AnalysisDetection

ATT&CK techniques

Cred Access

  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 flags Windows file creation events where the target filename matches common patterns of local SAM (Security Account Manager) export artifacts (e.g., .sav, .hive, backup/export filenames and specific SAM-related paths). Attackers often dump credentials by exporting SAM database content to accessible files for offline processing or theft. The detection relies on Windows file event telemetry that includes the created/target filename so the rule can match suspicious SAM export naming and locations.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1003.002 — drag to rearrange
Suspicious Archiving of Registry Hives via WinRAR (UAT-8099)
Malicious Registry Hive Dump of SAM or SYSTEM via Reg Save (via process_creation)
Malicious Credential Hive Copy from Volume Shadow Copy
Malicious Secretdump Password Dumping via SMB Admin Share (via security)
Malicious Registry Hive Dump of SAM and SYSTEM via Reg Save (via process_creation)
Suspicious SAM Registry Hive Dump to Windows Temp by BianLian
Malicious SAM and SYSTEM Hive Dump via reg save (via process_creation)
Malicious Mimikatz Credential Access Module Invocation
Malicious SYSTEM Registry Hive Dump via reg.exe by Sandworm
Windows File Creation Indicators for Local SAM Database Exports
Pivot detection · T1003.002 · 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.