Windows HandleKatz: Duplicate LSASS Handle via Process Access with Handle Duplication Rights

Flags HandleKatz-style behavior duplicating an existing LSASS handle using PROCESS_DUP_HANDLE and ntdll.dll call trace.

FreeReviewedSigma · High · v2

Product: windows
Category: process_access
Author: Bhabesh Raj (rule), @thefLinkk (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published: 2022-06-27
Updated: 2026-07-31

ATT&CK techniques

Execution → Cred Access

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
- T1106Native API
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
- T1003.001LSASS Memory
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule identifies HandleKatz behavior where a process obtains access to lsass.exe that is consistent with duplicating an existing LSASS handle for later memory dumping. Attackers use this to capture credentials from LSASS without necessarily creating additional direct handle activity to LSASS. Detection relies on Windows process access telemetry for TargetImage, specific GrantedAccess values, and matching CallTrace patterns from ntdll.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1003.001 — drag to rearrange

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Suspicious LSASS Credential Access via PowerShell (via process_creation)

Suspicious LSASS Memory Dump via Task Manager After Ivanti Exploitation

Suspicious ProcDump LSASS Memory Dump via process_creation

Malicious Mimikatz Credential Dump Log File Creation (via file_event)

Malicious WDigest UseLogonCredential Enabled for Cleartext Credential Theft (via registry_set)

Suspicious LSASS Memory Dump via Procdump Process Creation

Windows HandleKatz: Duplicate LSASS Handle via Process Access with Handle Duplication Rights

Pivot detection · T1003.001 · 9 related

Changelog

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-handlekatz-usage-duplicate-lsass-handle-via-process-dup-handle-b1bd3a59

title: "Windows HandleKatz: Duplicate LSASS Handle via Process Access with Handle Duplication Rights"
id: d0b2e76a-62fe-4978-970b-406d42ffc2a9
status: test
description: This rule identifies HandleKatz behavior where a process obtains access to lsass.exe that is consistent with duplicating an existing LSASS handle for later memory dumping. Attackers use this to capture credentials from LSASS without necessarily creating additional direct handle activity to LSASS. Detection relies on Windows process access telemetry for TargetImage, specific GrantedAccess values, and matching CallTrace patterns from ntdll.
references:
  - https://github.com/codewhitesec/HandleKatz
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_access/proc_access_win_hktl_handlekatz_lsass_access.yml
author: Bhabesh Raj (rule), @thefLinkk, Huntrule Team
date: 2022-06-27
modified: 2023-11-28
tags:
  - attack.execution
  - attack.t1106
  - attack.t1003.001
  - attack.credential-access
logsource:
  category: process_access
  product: windows
detection:
  selection:
    TargetImage|endswith: \lsass.exe
    GrantedAccess: "0x1440"
    CallTrace|startswith: C:\Windows\System32\ntdll.dll+
    CallTrace|contains: "|UNKNOWN("
    CallTrace|endswith: )
  condition: selection
falsepositives:
  - Unknown
level: high
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: b1bd3a59-c1fd-4860-9f40-4dd161a7d1f5
    type: derived

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