Windows Execution of PurpleSharp HackTool by Image Name or Executable Metadata
Alerts on process creation events consistent with running PurpleSharp.exe on Windows.
- Product
- windows
- Category
- process_creation
- Author
- Florian Roth (Nextron Systems) (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
- Published
- 2021-06-18
- Updated
- 2026-07-31
ATT&CK techniques
Resource DevRecon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact
What it detects
This rule identifies process creation events where the executable name or image path contains "\purplesharp" or where the original file name is "PurpleSharp.exe". It also matches command lines containing "xyz123456.exe" or the string "PurpleSharp", indicating use of the PurpleSharp adversary simulation tool. This matters because running simulation/hack tooling can indicate operator activity or testing that may precede or align with malicious tradecraft. Detection relies on Windows process creation telemetry including image path, original file name, and command line contents.
Reporting behind it
Changelog
v2- v2Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
- v1No 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.
title: Windows Execution of PurpleSharp HackTool by Image Name or Executable Metadata
id: 414b80a6-4589-4572-8ccf-24943608199f
status: test
description: This rule identifies process creation events where the executable name or image path contains "\purplesharp" or where the original file name is "PurpleSharp.exe". It also matches command lines containing "xyz123456.exe" or the string "PurpleSharp", indicating use of the PurpleSharp adversary simulation tool. This matters because running simulation/hack tooling can indicate operator activity or testing that may precede or align with malicious tradecraft. Detection relies on Windows process creation telemetry including image path, original file name, and command line contents.
references:
- https://github.com/mvelazc0/PurpleSharp
- https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_hktl_purplesharp_indicators.yml
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems), Huntrule Team
date: 2021-06-18
modified: 2023-02-05
tags:
- attack.t1587
- attack.resource-development
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection_img:
- Image|contains: \purplesharp
- OriginalFileName: PurpleSharp.exe
selection_cli:
CommandLine|contains:
- xyz123456.exe
- PurpleSharp
condition: 1 of selection_*
falsepositives:
- Unlikely
level: critical
license: DRL-1.1
related:
- id: ff23ffbc-3378-435e-992f-0624dcf93ab4
type: derived