Screensaver process executed from Users or temporary folder

Synopsis

Activation Period	14 Days
Training Period	30 Days
Test Period	N/A (single event)
Deduplication Period	6 Hours
Required Data	Requires: XDR Agent
Detection Modules
ATT&CK Tactic	Persistence (TA0003)
ATT&CK Technique	Event Triggered Execution: Screensaver (T1546.002)
Severity	Low

Description

An executable file with a screensaver extension was executed from the Users or temp folder. This is not a common behavior for screensavers and may indicate a malicious file disguised as a screensaver in the Users or temp folder.
It is recommended to further investigate the execution flow for malicious indicators.

Attacker's Goals

Gain persistence by configuring a new screensaver.

Investigative actions

Check whether the executing process (with the SCR extension) is benign, and if this was a desired behavior as part of its normal execution flow.

Variations

Screensaver process executed from Users or temporary folder by a scripting engine process

Synopsis

ATT&CK Tactic	Persistence (TA0003)
ATT&CK Technique	Event Triggered Execution: Screensaver (T1546.002)
Severity	High

Description

An executable file with a screensaver extension was executed from the Users or temp folder by a scripting engine process. This is not a common behavior for screensavers and may indicate a malicious file disguised as a screensaver in the Users or temp folder.
It is recommended to further investigate the execution flow for malicious indicators.

Attacker's Goals

Gain persistence by configuring a new screensaver.

Investigative actions

Check whether the executing process (with the SCR extension) is benign, and if this was a desired behavior as part of its normal execution flow.