sigmahighHunting

File Decoded From Base64/Hex Via Certutil.EXE

Detects the execution of certutil with either the "decode" or "decodehex" flags to decode base64 or hex encoded files. This can be abused by attackers to decode an encoded payload before execution

MITRE ATT&CK

T1027

defense-evasion

Detection Query

selection_img:
  - Image|endswith: \certutil.exe
  - OriginalFileName: CertUtil.exe
selection_cli:
  CommandLine|contains|windash:
    - "-decode "
    - "-decodehex "
condition: all of selection_*

Author

Florian Roth (Nextron Systems), Jonhnathan Ribeiro, oscd.community

Created

2023-02-15

Data Sources

windowsProcess Creation Events

Platforms

windows

References

Tags

attack.defense-evasionattack.t1027

Raw Content

title: File Decoded From Base64/Hex Via Certutil.EXE
id: cc9cbe82-7bc0-4ef5-bc23-bbfb83947be7
status: test
description: Detects the execution of certutil with either the "decode" or "decodehex" flags to decode base64 or hex encoded files. This can be abused by attackers to decode an encoded payload before execution
references:
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/certutil
    - https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/new-babyshark-malware-targets-u-s-national-security-think-tanks/
    - https://news.sophos.com/en-us/2021/04/13/compromised-exchange-server-hosting-cryptojacker-targeting-other-exchange-servers/
    - https://twitter.com/JohnLaTwC/status/835149808817991680
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/archive/blogs/pki/basic-crl-checking-with-certutil
    - https://lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/Binaries/Certutil/
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems), Jonhnathan Ribeiro, oscd.community
date: 2023-02-15
modified: 2025-06-04
tags:
    - attack.defense-evasion
    - attack.t1027
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_img:
        - Image|endswith: '\certutil.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'CertUtil.exe'
    selection_cli:
        CommandLine|contains|windash:
            - '-decode ' # Decode Base64
            - '-decodehex ' # Decode Hex
    condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high
regression_tests_path: regression_data/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_certutil_decode/info.yml