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Suspicious Startup Folder Persistence

SIGMA detection rule by Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel (Nextron Systems) · NOASSERTION

Detects the creation of potentially malicious script and executable files in Windows startup folders, which is a common persistence technique used by threat actors. These files (.ps1, .vbs, .js, .bat, etc.) are automatically executed when a user logs in, making the Startup folder an attractive target for attackers. This technique is frequently observed in malvertising campaigns and malware distribution where attackers attempt to maintain long-term access to compromised systems.

title: Suspicious Startup Folder Persistence
id: 28208707-fe31-437f-9a7f-4b1108b94d2e
related:
    - id: 2aa0a6b4-a865-495b-ab51-c28249537b75
      type: similar
status: test
description: |
    Detects the creation of potentially malicious script and executable files in Windows startup folders, which is a common persistence technique used by threat actors.
    These files (.ps1, .vbs, .js, .bat, etc.) are automatically executed when a user logs in, making the Startup folder an attractive target for attackers.
    This technique is frequently observed in malvertising campaigns and malware distribution where attackers attempt to maintain long-term access to compromised systems.
references:
    - https://github.com/last-byte/PersistenceSniper
    - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2025/03/06/malvertising-campaign-leads-to-info-stealers-hosted-on-github/
    - https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/5ede8f21e42ebe37e0a6eff757dba60bcfa85859/atomics/T1547.001/T1547.001.md
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel (Nextron Systems)
date: 2022-08-10
modified: 2025-10-12
tags:
    - attack.privilege-escalation
    - attack.execution
    - attack.t1204.002
    - attack.persistence
    - attack.t1547.001
logsource:
    product: windows
    category: file_event
detection:
    selection:
        TargetFilename|contains: '\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\'
        TargetFilename|endswith:
            # Add or remove suspicious extensions according to your env needs
            - '.bat'
            - '.cmd'
            - '.dll'
            - '.hta'
            - '.jar'
            - '.js'
            - '.jse'
            - '.msi'
            - '.ps1'
            - '.psd1'
            - '.psm1'
            - '.scr'
            - '.url'
            - '.vba'
            - '.vbe'
            - '.vbs'
            - '.wsf'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Rare legitimate usage of some of the extensions mentioned in the rule
level: high

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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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Not a security issue — this rule is valid and was accepted as-is. These are optional fields/conventions its own format recommends, mainly affecting its quality score and how well it documents itself for other reviewers.

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