.. /Cipher.exe

Star

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)

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

1. 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