huntrule

Windows: Detect sftp.exe used as a LOLBIN via -D option

Alerts on Windows executions of sftp.exe using the -D flag with a path argument.

FreeReviewedSigma · Medium · v2
Product
windows
Category
process_creation
Author
Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems) (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2022-11-10
Updated
2026-07-31
AnalysisDetection

ATT&CK techniques

Defense Evasion

  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 flags process executions where the Image ends with sftp.exe and the CommandLine includes the -D option followed by a path, indicating potential LOLBIN abuse. Attackers can use legitimate binaries like sftp.exe to proxy execution steps or access attacker-controlled file paths while blending into normal activity. The detection relies on Windows process creation telemetry with access to the executed binary name and full command line.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1218 — drag to rearrange
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Malicious MSIX Package Execution via App Installer ms-appinstaller Protocol (via process_creation)
Malicious ViPNet Backdoor Loader via lumpdiag.exe Path Substitution
Suspicious BitLockerToGo Execution from Unusual Parent
Suspicious Proxy Execution via pcalua
Windows: Detect sftp.exe used as a LOLBIN via -D option
Pivot detection · T1218 · 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.