Rule Document 1:301176

Rule Category

OS-WINDOWS -- Snort has detected traffic targeting vulnerabilities in a Windows-based operating system. This does not include browser traffic or other software on the OS, but attacks against the OS itself. (such as?)

Alert Message

OS-WINDOWS Microsoft Windows potentially malicious LNK file download attempt

Rule Explanation

This rule looks for LNK files containing links to c:\windows\system32\cmd.exe. Attackers have been known to utilize this attack vector to execute arbitrary commands on victim hosts.

What To Look For

This rule fires on attempts to download a LNK shortcut file that links to c:\windows\system32\cmd.exe.

Known Usage

No public information

False Positives

Known false positives, with the described conditions

This rule looks for LNK files that will execute c:\windows\system32\cmd.exe. Although this behavior could be present in benign shortcut files, it is highly suspicious.

Contributors

Cisco Talos Intelligence Group

Rule Groups

MITRE::ATT&CK Framework::Enterprise::Execution::User Execution::Malicious File

An adversary may rely upon a user opening a malicious file in order to gain execution. Users may be subjected to social engineering to get them to open a file that will lead to code execution. This user action will typically be observed as follow-on behavior from Spearphishing Attachment. Adversaries may use several types of files that require a user to execute them, including .doc, .pdf, .xls, .rtf, .scr, .exe, .lnk, .pif, and .cpl.

Rule Categories::Operating Systems::Windows

Rule Categories::File::Other

MITRE::ATT&CK Framework::Enterprise::Privilege Escalation::Exploitation for Privilege Escalation

Privilege escalation includes techniques that allow an attacker to obtain a higher level of permissions on the mobile device. Attackers may enter the mobile device with very limited privileges and may be required to take advantage of a device weakness to obtain higher privileges necessary to successfully carry out their mission objectives.

Vulnerability::Severity::Medium

Vulnerability::Severity::High

Vulnerability::Severity::Critical

CVE

CVE-2025-27472

Additional Links

msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2025-27472

Rule Vulnerability

N/A

Not Applicable

CVE Additional Information

This product uses data from the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD.

CVE-2025-27472

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