Detect Data from Network Shared Drive in Google Chronicle
Adversaries may search network shares on compromised systems to find files of interest. Sensitive data can be collected from remote systems via shared network drives (host shared directory, network file server, etc.) that are accessible from the current system prior to exfiltration. Threat actors including APT28, RedCurl, Gamaredon Group, menuPass, Chimera, and BRONZE BUTLER have leveraged this technique using tools such as net use, Robocopy, xcopy, and custom malware to enumerate and bulk-copy documents, configuration files, and credentials from accessible SMB shares.
MITRE ATT&CK
- Tactic
- Collection
- Technique
- T1039 Data from Network Shared Drive
- Canonical reference
- https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1039/
YARA-L Detection Query
rule t1039_data_from_network_shared_drive {
meta:
author = "Argus Detection Engineering"
description = "Detects data collection from network shared drives via bulk file access on UNC paths and execution of share enumeration or bulk copy tools. Covers APT28, RedCurl, Gamaredon, menuPass, Chimera, BRONZE BUTLER TTPs."
mitre_attack_tactic = "Collection"
mitre_attack_technique = "T1039"
mitre_attack_url = "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1039/"
severity = "HIGH"
priority = "HIGH"
events:
// Signal A: Bulk copy/enumeration tool execution targeting UNC paths
$e1.metadata.event_type = "PROCESS_LAUNCH"
$e1.principal.hostname = $hostname
$e1.principal.user.userid = $user
(
// net use / net view
(
re.regex($e1.target.process.file.full_path, `(?i)(\\|/)net(1)?\.exe$`) and
re.regex($e1.target.process.command_line, `(?i)(use|view)`) and
re.regex($e1.target.process.command_line, `\\\\[a-zA-Z0-9]`)
) or
// robocopy, xcopy, forfiles
(
re.regex($e1.target.process.file.full_path, `(?i)(robocopy|xcopy|forfiles)\.exe$`) and
re.regex($e1.target.process.command_line, `\\\\\\\\[a-zA-Z0-9]`)
) or
// PowerShell bulk enumeration
(
re.regex($e1.target.process.file.full_path, `(?i)(powershell|pwsh)\.exe$`) and
re.regex($e1.target.process.command_line, `\\\\\\\\[a-zA-Z0-9]`) and
re.regex($e1.target.process.command_line, `(?i)(Get-ChildItem|Copy-Item|Get-Item|gci|\-Recurse)`)
)
)
// Signal B: File creation/write on a UNC network path with sensitive extension
$e2.metadata.event_type = "FILE_CREATION"
$e2.principal.hostname = $hostname
$e2.principal.user.userid = $user
re.regex($e2.target.file.full_path, `^\\\\\\\\[^\\\\]+\\\\`)
re.regex($e2.target.file.full_path, `(?i)\.(doc|docx|xls|xlsx|pdf|ppt|pptx|txt|csv|rtf|db|sql|kdbx|pfx|key|pem|conf|config|ini|bak|eml|msg|ost|pst)$`)
// Correlate on same host and user within 2 hours
$e1.metadata.event_timestamp.seconds <= $e2.metadata.event_timestamp.seconds + 7200
$e1.metadata.event_timestamp.seconds >= $e2.metadata.event_timestamp.seconds - 7200
condition:
$e1 and $e2
} Chronicle YARA-L 2.0 rule correlating two signals within a 2-hour window on the same host and user: (1) execution of share enumeration or bulk data transfer tools (net use/view, robocopy, xcopy, forfiles, PowerShell with Get-ChildItem/Copy-Item) targeting UNC paths, and (2) file creation events on UNC/SMB network paths with sensitive document or credential file extensions. Maps to MITRE ATT&CK T1039.
Data Sources
Required Tables
False Positives & Tuning
- Scheduled backup jobs running under service accounts that use robocopy to mirror file server contents to backup shares — these generate correlated process + file creation signals matching both rule conditions
- IT administrators legitimately mapping and browsing department file shares with net use followed by manual file copy during offboarding or data recovery tasks
- PowerShell DSC or automation scripts using Get-ChildItem and Copy-Item against UNC paths for configuration management or software distribution
Other platforms for T1039
Testing Methodology
Validate this detection against 4 adversary techniques from Atomic Red Team. Each test below lists the behaviour to exercise and the telemetry you should expect to see. Executable commands and cleanup steps are available with Pro.
- Test 1Map and Enumerate Network Share with net use
Expected signal: Sysmon Event ID 1: net.exe process with CommandLine 'net use Z: \\\\localhost\\C$ /persistent:no'. Sysmon Event ID 3: SMB connection to 127.0.0.1:445. Security Event 4648 if alternate credentials used. Security Event 5140 (network share accessed) on the target if Object Access auditing is enabled.
- Test 2Bulk Document Collection via Robocopy from Network Share
Expected signal: Sysmon Event ID 1: robocopy.exe with CommandLine containing '\\\\localhost' and '/S'. Sysmon Event ID 11: Multiple file creation events in %TEMP%\df00tech-stage with .dll extension. Sysmon Event ID 3: SMB connection to 127.0.0.1:445 from robocopy.exe process.
- Test 3PowerShell Recursive Document Harvest from Network Share
Expected signal: Sysmon Event ID 1: powershell.exe with CommandLine containing 'Get-ChildItem', '\\\\localhost', 'Copy-Item'. Sysmon Event ID 11: Multiple file creation events in %TEMP%\df00tech-ps-stage. Sysmon Event ID 3: SMB connection to 127.0.0.1:445. PowerShell ScriptBlock Logging Event ID 4104 will capture the full deobfuscated script showing UNC access pattern.
- Test 4Forfiles-based Targeted Extension Harvest from Share
Expected signal: Sysmon Event ID 1: forfiles.exe with CommandLine containing '\\\\localhost' and '/S'. Sysmon Event ID 1 (child): cmd.exe spawned by forfiles.exe with copy command. Sysmon Event ID 11: File creation events in %TEMP%\df00tech-forfiles-stage.
References (12)
- https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1039/
- https://www.pwc.co.uk/cyber-security/pdf/cloud-hopper-report-final-v4.pdf
- https://www.secureworks.com/research/bronze-butler-targets-japanese-businesses
- https://www.group-ib.com/resources/research/red-curl/
- https://www.eset.com/int/about/newsroom/press-releases/research/eset-research-uncovers-gamaredon-groups-malicious-activities-in-ukraine/
- https://www.symantec.com/blogs/threat-intelligence/sowbug-targets-government-agencies
- https://www.f-secure.com/documents/996508/1030745/cosmicduke_whitepaper.pdf
- https://media.defense.gov/2021/Jul/01/2002753896/-1/-1/1/CSA_GRU_GLOBAL_BRUTE_FORCE_CAMPAIGN_UOF.PDF
- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/storage/file-server/troubleshoot/detect-enable-and-disable-smbv1-v2-v3
- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/defender-endpoint/advanced-hunting-devicefileevents-table
- https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/master/atomics/T1039/T1039.md
- https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/robocopy
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