Forfiles.exe

Selects and executes a command on a file or set of files. This command is useful for batch processing.

Paths

• C:\Windows\System32\forfiles.exe
• C:\Windows\SysWOW64\forfiles.exe

Commands

Execute

Executes specified command since there is a match for notepad.exe in the c:\windows\System32 folder.

Use case: Use forfiles to start a new process to evade defensive counter measures

Privileges: User

forfiles /p c:\windows\system32 /m notepad.exe /c "{CMD}"

ADS

Executes the evil.exe Alternate Data Stream (AD) since there is a match for notepad.exe in the c:\windows\system32 folder.

Use case: Use forfiles to start a new process from a binary hidden in an alternate data stream

Privileges: User

forfiles /p c:\windows\system32 /m notepad.exe /c "{PATH_ABSOLUTE}:evil.exe"

Detection

• Sigma: https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/6312dd1d44d309608552105c334948f793e89f48/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_lolbin_forfiles.yml

Resources

• https://twitter.com/vector_sec/status/896049052642533376
• https://gist.github.com/api0cradle/cdd2d0d0ec9abb686f0e89306e277b8f
• https://oddvar.moe/2018/01/14/putting-data-in-alternate-data-streams-and-how-to-execute-it/