Executable moved to Windows system folder

Cortex XSIAM Analytics Alert Reference by Alert name

Product
Cortex XSIAM
Last date published
2025-12-08
Category
Analytics Alert Reference
Index by
Alert name

Synopsis

Activation Period

14 Days

Training Period

30 Days

Test Period

N/A (single event)

Deduplication Period

1 Day

Required Data

  • Requires:
    • XDR Agent

Detection Modules

Detector Tags

EDR Windows Disguised Processes

ATT&CK Tactic

Defense Evasion (TA0005)

ATT&CK Technique

Masquerading (T1036)

Severity

Informational

Description

An attacker may be trying to avoid detection by moving an executable to a Windows system folder.

Attacker's Goals

  • An attacker may be trying to avoid detection by moving an executable to a Windows system folder.

Investigative actions

  • Check if the file is known in organization or malicious.
  • Check if the digital signature of the file is valid and belongs to a known good software vendor.
  • Investigate the process which has moved the file to the system folder.

Variations

Rare executable moved to Windows system folder by rare causality actor

Synopsis

ATT&CK Tactic

Defense Evasion (TA0005)

ATT&CK Technique

Masquerading (T1036)

Severity

Medium

Description

An attacker may be trying to avoid detection by moving an executable to a Windows system folder.

Attacker's Goals

  • An attacker may be trying to avoid detection by moving an executable to a Windows system folder.

Investigative actions

  • Check if the file is known in organization or malicious.
  • Check if the digital signature of the file is valid and belongs to a known good software vendor.
  • Investigate the process which has moved the file to the system folder.


Executable moved to Windows system folder by remote causality and a rare actor

Synopsis

ATT&CK Tactic

Defense Evasion (TA0005)

ATT&CK Technique

Masquerading (T1036)

Severity

Medium

Description

An attacker may be trying to avoid detection by moving an executable to a Windows system folder.

Attacker's Goals

  • An attacker may be trying to avoid detection by moving an executable to a Windows system folder.

Investigative actions

  • Check if the file is known in organization or malicious.
  • Check if the digital signature of the file is valid and belongs to a known good software vendor.
  • Investigate the process which has moved the file to the system folder.


Rare executable moved to Windows system folder by rare actor

Synopsis

ATT&CK Tactic

Defense Evasion (TA0005)

ATT&CK Technique

Masquerading (T1036)

Severity

Low

Description

An attacker may be trying to avoid detection by moving an executable to a Windows system folder.

Attacker's Goals

  • An attacker may be trying to avoid detection by moving an executable to a Windows system folder.

Investigative actions

  • Check if the file is known in organization or malicious.
  • Check if the digital signature of the file is valid and belongs to a known good software vendor.
  • Investigate the process which has moved the file to the system folder.


Executable moved to Windows system folder by rare and unsigned actor

Synopsis

ATT&CK Tactic

Defense Evasion (TA0005)

ATT&CK Technique

Masquerading (T1036)

Severity

Low

Description

An attacker may be trying to avoid detection by moving an executable to a Windows system folder.

Attacker's Goals

  • An attacker may be trying to avoid detection by moving an executable to a Windows system folder.

Investigative actions

  • Check if the file is known in organization or malicious.
  • Check if the digital signature of the file is valid and belongs to a known good software vendor.
  • Investigate the process which has moved the file to the system folder.