FTP Connection Open Attempt Via Winscp CLI

Detects the execution of Winscp with the "-command" and the "open" flags in order to open an FTP connection. Akira ransomware was seen using this technique in order to exfiltrate data.

title: FTP Connection Open Attempt Via Winscp CLI
id: c1477deb-37cf-4439-9ffb-44499acb89d0
status: experimental
description: Detects the execution of Winscp with the "-command" and the "open" flags in order to open an FTP connection. Akira ransomware was seen using this technique in order to exfiltrate data.
references:
    - https://blogs.blackberry.com/en/2024/07/akira-ransomware-targets-the-latam-airline-industry
author: frack113
date: 2025-10-12
tags:
    - attack.exfiltration
    - attack.t1048
    - detection.threat-hunting
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_img:
        - Image|endswith: '\WinSCP.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'winscp.exe'
    selection_cmd:
        CommandLine|contains|windash: '-command'
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - 'open '
            - 'ftp://' # cover ftp and sftp
    condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium

• T1048Exfiltration Over Alternative Protocol

• https://blogs.blackberry.com/en/2024/07/akira-ransomware-targets-the-latam-airline-industry↗