huntrule

Windows Suspicious File Creation in C:\PerfLogs with Executable/Script Extensions

Alerts on creation of potentially malicious file types in C:\PerfLogs\ on Windows.

FreeReviewedSigma · Medium · v2
Product
windows
Category
file_event
Author
Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems) (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2023-05-05
Updated
2026-07-31
AnalysisDetection

ATT&CK techniques

Execution

  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 file creation events where the target path starts with C:\PerfLogs\ and the filename ends with a list of executable or script-related extensions. Attackers may use this directory to stage or drop payloads where it blends with existing logging/performance artifacts. The detection relies on Windows file event telemetry that records the created file path and extension.

Reporting behind it

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Malicious AutoHotKey Runner AutoNotify Executing AHKBot Looper Script (via process_creation)
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Windows Suspicious File Creation in C:\PerfLogs with Executable/Script Extensions
Pivot detection · T1059 · 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.