huntrule

Windows Process Creation: AdFind.exe Execution for Active Directory Recon

Alerts on Windows execution of AdFind.exe based on image/name and known imphash values indicative of AD reconnaissance.

FreeReviewedSigma · Medium · v1
Product
windows
Category
process_creation
Author
Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel (Nextron Systems) (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2025-02-26
Updated
2026-07-30
AnalysisDetection

ATT&CK techniques

Discovery

  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 the execution of AdFind.exe on Windows by matching the process image name, original file name, and specific imphash values. AdFind is commonly used to gather information in Active Directory environments, which can support attacker discovery and lateral movement planning. Detection relies on process creation telemetry, including the executable path/name and file hashing/imphash data.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1087.002 — drag to rearrange
Suspicious Active Directory Reconnaissance via ADExplorer or ADRecon (via process_creation)
Suspicious Service Principal Name Enumeration via Setspn by UAT-8837
Malicious Active Directory Enumeration via SharpHound or BloodHound (via process_creation)
Suspicious Group Discovery - Command (via process_creation)
SharpHound Host Enumeration Over Kerberos (via security)
SPN Enumeration Previous to Kerberoasting Attack - Native Commands (via process_creation)
Suspicious Active Directory Enumeration via AD Explorer Snapshot Process Creation
Malicious Account Added to Domain Admins Group via net Command
Suspicious Remote Connection to ADWS Port 9389 via security
Windows Process Creation: AdFind.exe Execution for Active Directory Recon
Pivot detection · T1087.002 · 9 related

Detection content is published as a reviewed draft. Tune thresholds and exclusions against your own telemetry before enabling this rule for alerting.