DarkGate - Autoit3.EXE Execution Parameters

SIGMA detection rule by Micah Babinski · NOASSERTION

Detects execution of the legitimate Autoit3 utility from a suspicious parent process. AutoIt3.exe is used within the DarkGate infection chain to execute shellcode that performs process injection and connects to the DarkGate command-and-control server.

title: DarkGate Autoit3.exe Execution Parameters
id: f8e9aa1c-14f2-4dbd-aa59-b98968ed650d
status: experimental
description: |
    Detects execution of the legitimate Autoit3 utility from a suspect parent process. AutoIt3.exe is used within 
    the DarkGate infection chain to execute shellcode that performs process injection and connects to the DarkGate 
    command-and-control server.
references:
    - Internal Research
    - https://github.security.telekom.com/2023/08/darkgate-loader.html
    - https://www.kroll.com/en/insights/publications/cyber/microsoft-teams-used-as-initial-access-for-darkgate-malware
    - https://github.com/pr0xylife/DarkGate/tree/main
author: Micah Babinski
date: 2023/10/12
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.t1059
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_proc:
        - Image|endswith: '\Autoit3.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'AutoIt3.exe'
    selection_parent:
        ParentImage|endswith:
            - '\cmd.exe'
            - '\KeyScramblerLogon.exe'
            - '\msiexec.exe'
    filter_normal_autoit3:
        Image: 'C:\Program Files (x86)\AutoIt3\AutoIt3.exe'
    condition: all of selection_* and not filter_normal_autoit3
falsepositives:
    - Unlikely
level: high

[[ currentRule.title && currentRule.title.length > 60 ? currentRule.title.slice(0, 60) + '…' : currentRule.title ]]

703a2522-a4c4-448d-a3ab-f4864ffc00a3

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Executable code, not a declarative rule

This submission is arbitrary [[ currentRule.format ? currentRule.format.toUpperCase() : '' ]] code, not a declarative detection rule — review it as you would any script before running it, and note that it cannot be safely aggregated or auto-executed alongside YARA/Sigma/Suricata/CRS rules.

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