.. /Cipher.exe
Star

File Encryption Utility

Paths:

c:\windows\system32\cipher.exe
c:\windows\syswow64\cipher.exe

Resources:

https://www.volexity.com/blog/2024/11/22/the-nearest-neighbor-attack-how-a-russian-apt-weaponized-nearby-wi-fi-networks-for-covert-access/

Acknowledgements:

Ade Ogunsowo (@i_am_tutu)
Alexander Sennhauser (@conitrade)

Detections:

Sigma: https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/c7998c92b3c5f23ea67045bee8ee364d2ed1a775/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_cipher_overwrite_deleted_data.yml
IOC: cipher.exe process with /w on the command line

Tamper

Zero out a file
```
cipher /w:{PATH_ABSOLUTE:folder}
```
Use case
Can be used to forensically erase a file.

Privileges required
User

Operating systems
Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Windows 11

ATT&CK® technique
T1485
Encrypt a file
```
cipher.exe /e {PATH_ABSOLUTE}
```
Use case
Can be used to impair defences by e.g. encrypting a critical EDR solution file.

Privileges required
Admin

Operating systems
Windows 10

ATT&CK® technique
T1562