Potential Hidden Directory Creation Via NTFS INDEX_ALLOCATION Stream - CLI

testmedium
log source: windows · process_creationauthor Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), Scoubi (@ScoubiMtl)date 2023-10-09
01

description

What this is, in brief.

Detects command line containing reference to the "::$index_allocation" stream, which can be used as a technique to prevent access to folders or files from tooling such as "explorer.exe" or "powershell.exe"

02

tags

attack.stealthattack.t1564.004
03

rule source (YAML)

title: Potential Hidden Directory Creation Via NTFS INDEX_ALLOCATION Stream - CLI
id: 0900463c-b33b-49a8-be1d-552a3b553dae
related:
    - id: a8f866e1-bdd4-425e-a27a-37619238d9c7
      type: similar
status: test
description: |
    Detects command line containing reference to the "::$index_allocation" stream, which can be used as a technique to prevent access to folders or files from tooling such as "explorer.exe" or "powershell.exe"
references:
    - https://twitter.com/pfiatde/status/1681977680688738305
    - https://soroush.me/blog/2010/12/a-dotty-salty-directory-a-secret-place-in-ntfs-for-secret-files/
    - https://sec-consult.com/blog/detail/pentesters-windows-ntfs-tricks-collection/
    - https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/5c3b23002d2bbede3c07e7307165fc2a235a427d/atomics/T1564.004/T1564.004.md#atomic-test-5---create-hidden-directory-via-index_allocation
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/openspecs/windows_protocols/ms-fscc/c54dec26-1551-4d3a-a0ea-4fa40f848eb3
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), Scoubi (@ScoubiMtl)
date: 2023-10-09
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1564.004
logsource:
    product: windows
    category: process_creation
detection:
    selection:
        # Note: Both Sysmon and ETW are unable to log the presence of such stream in the CommandLine. But EDRs such as Crowdstrike are able to using for example CMD console history. Users are advised to test this before usage
        CommandLine|contains: '::$index_allocation'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Unlikely
level: medium
regression_tests_path: regression_data/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_susp_hidden_dir_index_allocation/info.yml
04

detects techniques (1)

ATT&CK techniques this enables or maps to.

05

references

External citations — patches, advisories, analysis.