huntrule

Windows Security: Hidden Local User Account Creation (Event ID 4720)

Alerts on Windows 4720 local user creation for hidden accounts (username ending with '$'), excluding 'HomeGroupUser$'.

FreeReviewedSigma · High · v2
Product
windows
Service
security
Author
Christian Burkard (Nextron Systems) (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2021-05-03
Updated
2026-07-31
AnalysisDetection

ATT&CK techniques

Persistence

  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 creation of a local Windows user account whose name ends with a dollar sign, which indicates a hidden account pattern. Attackers may create hidden accounts to persist on a system while reducing visibility to administrators. It relies on Windows Security audit event ID 4720 telemetry and the TargetUserName field, excluding one known HomeGroup account variant.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1136.001 — drag to rearrange
Suspicious Rogue Administrator Account Creation Named System32 (via process_creation)
Suspicious Local Account Creation via Net User in Pre-Ransomware Phase
Suspicious Hidden Local Account Creation via Net User by UAT-8099
Malicious Local Account Creation of Support or Whiteninja via net.exe
Malicious Dynamicweb Unauthenticated Administrator Creation via Setup Default.aspx (via webserver)
Suspicious Hidden Backdoor Account Creation Ending With Dollar Sign (via process_creation)
Malicious User Creation via Commandline (via process_creation)
Suspicious Local Account Creation and Privileged Group Addition via Net.EXE (via process_creation)
Suspicious Hidden Local Account Creation via Dscl (via process_creation)
Windows Security: Hidden Local User Account Creation (Event ID 4720)
Pivot detection · T1136.001 · 9 related

Changelog

v2
  1. v2
    Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
  2. 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.