Windows Process Execution: SafetyKatz HackTool (SafetyKatz.exe)

ATT&CK techniques

Cred Access

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

What it detects

This rule detects execution of the credential-access hacktool SafetyKatz by matching process image path ending with \SafetyKatz.exe and associated PE metadata fields (OriginalFileName and Description). Attackers use SafetyKatz to interact with Windows credential material, so identifying its launch is a high-signal indicator of credential access activity. The detection relies on Windows process creation telemetry that includes the executing image path and PE-derived fields such as OriginalFileName and Description.

Reporting behind it

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Windows Process Execution: SafetyKatz HackTool (SafetyKatz.exe)

Pivot detection · T1003.001 · 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-process-creation-safetykatz-hacktool-execution-b1876533

title: "Windows Process Execution: SafetyKatz HackTool (SafetyKatz.exe)"
id: 041146da-2936-4532-95fa-7e34a3deb190
status: test
description: This rule detects execution of the credential-access hacktool SafetyKatz by matching process image path ending with \SafetyKatz.exe and associated PE metadata fields (OriginalFileName and Description). Attackers use SafetyKatz to interact with Windows credential material, so identifying its launch is a high-signal indicator of credential access activity. The detection relies on Windows process creation telemetry that includes the executing image path and PE-derived fields such as OriginalFileName and Description.
references:
  - https://github.com/GhostPack/SafetyKatz
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_hktl_safetykatz.yml
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), Huntrule Team
date: 2022-10-20
modified: 2023-02-04
tags:
  - attack.credential-access
  - attack.t1003.001
logsource:
  category: process_creation
  product: windows
detection:
  selection:
    - Image|endswith: \SafetyKatz.exe
    - OriginalFileName: SafetyKatz.exe
    - Description: SafetyKatz
  condition: selection
falsepositives:
  - Unlikely
level: critical
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: b1876533-4ed5-4a83-90f3-b8645840a413
    type: derived

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