huntrule

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
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 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.