file_access_win_dpapi_master_key_access.yml

title: Suspicious Access To Windows DPAPI Master Keys
id: 46612ae6-86be-4802-bc07-39b59feb1309
status: experimental
description: |
  Detects suspicious processes based on name and location that access the Windows Data Protection API Master keys.
  Which can be a sign of credential stealing. Example case would be usage of mimikatz "dpapi::masterkey" function
references:
    - https://web.archive.org/web/20181130065817/http://www.harmj0y.net/blog/redteaming/operational-guidance-for-offensive-user-dpapi-abuse/
    - https://book.hacktricks.xyz/windows-hardening/windows-local-privilege-escalation/dpapi-extracting-passwords
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali
date: 2022/10/17
tags:
    - attack.credential_access
    - attack.t1555.004
logsource:
    category: file_access
    product: windows
    definition: file_access rules are using the Microsoft-Windows-Kernel-File ETW provider
detection:
    selection:
        FileName|contains:
            - '\Microsoft\Protect\S-1-5-18\' # For System32
            - '\Microsoft\Protect\S-1-5-21-' # For Users
    filter_system_folders:
        Image|startswith:
            - 'C:\Program Files\'
            - 'C:\Program Files (x86)\'
            - 'C:\Windows\system32\'
            - 'C:\Windows\SysWOW64\'
    condition: selection and not 1 of filter_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
# Increase level after false positives filters are good enough
level: medium