DarkGate - Autoit3.EXE Execution Parameters

SIGMA detection rule by Micah Babinski · GPL-2.0

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: 2d2fc033-17e9-53b1-ea07-7d2dde3b2a54
related:
    - id: f8e9aa1c-14f2-4dbd-aa59-b98968ed650d
      type: derived
status: test
description: |
    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.
references:
    - 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: 2023-10-15
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.t1059
    - detection.emerging-threats
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    process_creation:
        EventID: 4688
        Channel: Security
    selection_proc:
        - NewProcessName|endswith: \Autoit3.exe
        - OriginalFileName: AutoIt3.exe
    selection_parent:
        ParentProcessName|endswith:
            - \cmd.exe
            - \KeyScramblerLogon.exe
            - \msiexec.exe
    filter_main_legit_autoit_location:
        NewProcessName|endswith:
            - :\Program Files (x86)\AutoIt3\AutoIt3.exe
            - :\Program Files\AutoIt3\AutoIt3.exe
    condition: process_creation and (all of selection_* and not 1 of filter_main_*)
falsepositives:
    - Unlikely
level: high
ruletype: Sigma

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

9142ed0d-e34c-46c6-a43b-802fb426f489

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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.

Rejected pattern present

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Format & documentation suggestions

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

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