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Suspicious File Created by ArcSOC.exe

Detects instances where the ArcGIS Server process ArcSOC.exe, which hosts REST services running on an ArcGIS server, creates a file with suspicious file type, indicating that it may be an executable, script file, or otherwise unusual.

MITRE ATT&CK

defense-evasioncommand-and-controlpersistenceinitial-access

Detection Query

selection:
  Image|endswith: \ArcSOC.exe
  TargetFilename|endswith:
    - .ahk
    - .aspx
    - .au3
    - .bat
    - .cmd
    - .dll
    - .exe
    - .hta
    - .js
    - .ps1
    - .py
    - .vbe
    - .vbs
    - .wsf
condition: selection

Author

Micah Babinski

Created

2025-11-25

Data Sources

windowsFile Events

Platforms

windows

Tags

attack.defense-evasionattack.command-and-controlattack.persistenceattack.initial-accessattack.t1127attack.t1105attack.t1133
Raw Content
title: Suspicious File Created by ArcSOC.exe
id: e890acee-d488-420e-8f20-d9b19b3c3d43
status: experimental
description: |
    Detects instances where the ArcGIS Server process ArcSOC.exe, which hosts REST services running on an ArcGIS
    server, creates a file with suspicious file type, indicating that it may be an executable, script file,
    or otherwise unusual.
references:
    - https://reliaquest.com/blog/threat-spotlight-inside-flax-typhoons-arcgis-compromise/
    - https://enterprise.arcgis.com/en/server/12.0/administer/windows/inside-an-arcgis-server-site.htm
author: Micah Babinski
date: 2025-11-25
tags:
    - attack.defense-evasion
    - attack.command-and-control
    - attack.persistence
    - attack.initial-access
    - attack.t1127
    - attack.t1105
    - attack.t1133
logsource:
    category: file_event
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        Image|endswith: '\ArcSOC.exe'
        TargetFilename|endswith:
            - '.ahk'
            - '.aspx'
            - '.au3'
            - '.bat'
            - '.cmd'
            - '.dll'
            - '.exe'
            - '.hta'
            - '.js'
            - '.ps1'
            - '.py'
            - '.vbe'
            - '.vbs'
            - '.wsf'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Unlikely
level: high