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Windows PUA: Suspicious Active Directory enumeration using AdFind.exe flags

Flags AdFind.exe processes that look like Active Directory discovery via password policy and object enumeration options.

FreeReviewedSigma · High · v1
Product
windows
Category
process_creation
Author
frack113 (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2021-12-13
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 identifies process creation where AdFind.exe command lines include specific Active Directory discovery flags. Attackers often use AdFind to enumerate directory attributes and object collections to support further access and privilege escalation planning. The detection relies on Windows process creation telemetry with access to the full command line content matching known flag strings.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1087.002 — drag to rearrange
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Suspicious Active Directory Export via Csvde via Process Creation (via process_creation)
Suspicious AdFind Domain User Reconnaissance Output
Suspicious Active Directory Reconnaissance Output via ADRecon CSV (via file_event)
Suspicious Domain Computer Enumeration via Net Group Command
Suspicious Active Directory Enumeration via AdsiSearcher
Suspicious ADFind Active Directory Reconnaissance Execution
Malicious IcedID AdFind Active Directory Reconnaissance via Command Line
Suspicious ADFind Active Directory Enumeration (via process_creation)
Windows PUA: Suspicious Active Directory enumeration using AdFind.exe flags
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.