Detect Windows NTLM Credential Leak via File Download Interaction in IBM QRadar
CVE-2025-24054 is a Windows NTLM hash disclosure vulnerability triggered when a user interacts with a specially crafted file (e.g., .library-ms, .url, .lnk) that forces an outbound NTLM authentication attempt to an attacker-controlled server. Exploitation requires minimal user interaction — simply downloading or viewing a malicious file in Explorer can suffice. The leaked Net-NTLMv2 hash can be cracked offline or relayed for lateral movement. This vulnerability is actively exploited in the wild and listed in CISA's KEV catalog.
MITRE ATT&CK
QRadar Detection Query
SELECT
DATEFORMAT(starttime, 'YYYY-MM-dd HH:mm:ss') AS event_time,
logsourcename(logsourceid) AS log_source,
sourceip,
destinationip,
destinationport,
username,
QIDNAME(qid) AS event_name,
TEXT(payload) AS raw_payload
FROM events
WHERE
LOGSOURCETYPENAME(devicetype) IN ('Microsoft Windows Security Event Log', 'Microsoft Sysmon')
AND (
(LOWER(TEXT(payload)) LIKE '%.library-ms%' OR LOWER(TEXT(payload)) LIKE '%.lnk%'
OR LOWER(TEXT(payload)) LIKE '%.url%' OR LOWER(TEXT(payload)) LIKE '%.scf%')
OR (destinationport IN (445, 139) AND eventid IN (5156, 5158, 3))
OR (eventid IN (4624, 4625, 4648) AND LOWER(TEXT(payload)) LIKE '%ntlm%')
)
AND starttime > NOW() - 3600000
ORDER BY starttime DESC
LIMIT 500AQL query for QRadar that surfaces Windows Security and Sysmon events related to crafted file interactions, outbound SMB connections, and NTLM authentication attempts within the past hour, enabling analysts to identify CVE-2025-24054 exploitation patterns.
Data Sources
Required Tables
False Positives & Tuning
- Domain controllers performing legitimate NTLM authentication for legacy clients
- Internal file servers hosting .lnk or .url files for desktop shortcuts
- Automated inventory or asset management tools scanning SMB shares
- Windows Explorer thumbnail generation connecting to mapped drives
Other platforms for CVE-2025-24054
Testing Methodology
Validate this detection against 4 adversary techniques from Atomic Red Team. Each test below lists the behaviour to exercise and the telemetry you should expect to see. Executable commands and cleanup steps are available with Pro.
- Test 1NTLM Credential Leak via Malicious .library-ms File
Expected signal: Sysmon Event ID 11 (FileCreate) for TestLib.library-ms; Sysmon Event ID 3 (NetworkConnect) from explorer.exe to ATTACKER_IP:445; Windows Security Event ID 4648 showing NTLM authentication attempt to ATTACKER_IP
- Test 2NTLM Credential Leak via Crafted .url Shortcut File
Expected signal: Sysmon Event ID 11 (FileCreate) for Important-Document.url on Desktop; Sysmon Event ID 3 (NetworkConnect) from explorer.exe to ATTACKER_IP:445; Windows Security Event ID 4625 if auth fails (Responder returns failure after capture)
- Test 3Net-NTLMv2 Hash Offline Cracking Simulation Post-Capture
Expected signal: On Windows DC (if auth attempted with cracked hash): Windows Security Event ID 4624 (successful logon) or 4625 (failed logon) with NTLM authentication from unexpected source IP; Kerberos fallback to NTLM is itself anomalous for modern AD environments
- Test 4NTLM Credential Leak via Crafted .scf File in Shared Folder
Expected signal: Sysmon Event ID 11 (FileCreate) for @trigger.scf; Sysmon Event ID 3 (NetworkConnect) from explorer.exe to ATTACKER_IP:445 triggered by shell icon resolution; Windows Security audit log showing NTLM authentication to external host
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