Windows: Local User Creation via net.exe with DarkGate and SafeMode

Alerts on net.exe adding a local user when the command line includes “DarkGate” and “SafeMode”.

FreeReviewedSigma · High · v5

Product: windows
Category: process_creation
Author: X__Junior (Nextron Systems) (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published: 2023-08-27
Updated: 2026-07-31

ATT&CK techniques

Persistence

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
- T1136.001Local Account
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule identifies Windows process executions where net.exe/net1.exe is used to create a local user account containing the strings "DarkGate" and "SafeMode" along with the required net user add parameters. Creating local users is a common persistence technique that can provide attackers with new credentials and long-term access. The detection relies on process creation telemetry, specifically the executable path ending in net.exe/net1.exe and the command-line content.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1136.001 — drag to rearrange

Suspicious Local Account Creation via Net User in Pre-Ransomware Phase

Suspicious Hidden Local Account Creation via Net User by UAT-8099

Malicious Local Account Creation of Support or Whiteninja via net.exe

Malicious Dynamicweb Unauthenticated Administrator Creation via Setup Default.aspx (via webserver)

Suspicious Hidden Backdoor Account Creation Ending With Dollar Sign (via process_creation)

Malicious User Creation via Commandline (via process_creation)

Suspicious Local Account Creation and Privileged Group Addition via Net.EXE (via process_creation)

Suspicious Hidden Local Account Creation via Dscl (via process_creation)

Suspicious Local Account Creation on Linux (via process_creation)

Windows: Local User Creation via net.exe with DarkGate and SafeMode

Pivot detection · T1136.001 · 9 related

Changelog

v5
Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
v4
Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
v3
Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
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-local-user-creation-via-net-exe-using-darkgate-and-safemode-arguments-bf906d7b

title: "Windows: Local User Creation via net.exe with DarkGate and SafeMode"
id: d124c7d4-ae3f-43e8-b0c3-646e93e11fba
status: test
description: This rule identifies Windows process executions where net.exe/net1.exe is used to create a local user account containing the strings "DarkGate" and "SafeMode" along with the required net user add parameters. Creating local users is a common persistence technique that can provide attackers with new credentials and long-term access. The detection relies on process creation telemetry, specifically the executable path ending in net.exe/net1.exe and the command-line content.
references:
  - Internal Research
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules-emerging-threats/2023/Malware/DarkGate/proc_creation_win_malware_darkgate_net_user_creation.yml
author: X__Junior (Nextron Systems), Huntrule Team
date: 2023-08-27
modified: 2023-10-15
tags:
  - attack.persistence
  - attack.t1136.001
  - detection.emerging-threats
logsource:
  category: process_creation
  product: windows
detection:
  selection:
    Image|endswith:
      - \net.exe
      - \net1.exe
    CommandLine|contains|all:
      - user
      - add
      - DarkGate
      - SafeMode
  condition: selection
falsepositives:
  - Unlikely
level: high
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: bf906d7b-7070-4642-8383-e404cf26eba5
    type: derived

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