Windows fsutil.exe Suspicious USN Journal and File Zeroing Parameters

ATT&CK techniques

Defense Evasion → Impact

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
- T1070Indicator Removal
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact
- T1485Data Destruction

What it detects

This rule flags execution of fsutil.exe with command-line arguments commonly associated with USN Journal manipulation and file zeroing (deletejournal, createjournal, setZeroData). Attackers may use these actions to hinder forensic recovery by altering NTFS change tracking or to disrupt artifacts by overwriting with zeros. It relies on Windows process creation telemetry, matching on fsutil.exe by image/original filename and inspecting the command line for the listed parameters.

Reporting behind it

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Windows fsutil.exe Suspicious USN Journal and File Zeroing Parameters

Pivot detection · T1485 · 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-fsutil-exe-suspicious-usn-journal-and-file-zeroing-commands-add64136

title: Windows fsutil.exe Suspicious USN Journal and File Zeroing Parameters
id: 050621ad-d6f5-46be-be0a-d2d861b6094c
status: stable
description: This rule flags execution of fsutil.exe with command-line arguments commonly associated with USN Journal manipulation and file zeroing (deletejournal, createjournal, setZeroData). Attackers may use these actions to hinder forensic recovery by altering NTFS change tracking or to disrupt artifacts by overwriting with zeros. It relies on Windows process creation telemetry, matching on fsutil.exe by image/original filename and inspecting the command line for the listed parameters.
references:
  - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/fsutil-usn
  - https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1070/T1070.md
  - https://eqllib.readthedocs.io/en/latest/analytics/c91f422a-5214-4b17-8664-c5fcf115c0a2.html
  - https://github.com/albertzsigovits/malware-notes/blob/558898932c1579ff589290092a2c8febefc3a4c9/Ransomware/Lockbit.md
  - https://blog.cluster25.duskrise.com/2023/05/22/back-in-black-blackbyte-nt
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_fsutil_usage.yml
author: Ecco, E.M. Anhaus, oscd.community, Huntrule Team
date: 2019-09-26
modified: 2023-09-09
tags:
  - attack.impact
  - attack.stealth
  - attack.t1070
  - attack.t1485
logsource:
  category: process_creation
  product: windows
detection:
  selection_img:
    - Image|endswith: \fsutil.exe
    - OriginalFileName: fsutil.exe
  selection_cli:
    CommandLine|contains:
      - deletejournal
      - createjournal
      - setZeroData
  condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
  - Admin activity
  - Scripts and administrative tools used in the monitored environment
level: high
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: add64136-62e5-48ea-807e-88638d02df1e
    type: derived

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