PowerShell SAM Database Copy from Shadow Copy

SigmaHQ Detections@sigmaHQ

•updated Aug 12, 2024•0•14

This rule detects suspicious PowerShell scripts attempting to copy the Security Account Manager (SAM) database. It specifically looks for PowerShell command lines that include both a reference to a volume shadow copy (e.g., '\HarddiskVolumeShadowCopy') and the SAM file path ('System32\config\sam'), combined with common PowerShell copy commands or .NET file copy methods. This activity is indicative of an adversary trying to extract credentials by accessing the SAM database, often from a shadow copy to bypass file locks.