TA0005 · DEFENSE EVASION
Rename Legitimate Utilities
Adversaries may rename legitimate / system utilities to try to evade security mechanisms concerning the usage of those utilities.
Detect it with
If file names are mismatched between the file name on disk and that of the binary's PE metadata, this is a likely indicator that a binary was renamed after it was compiled.
Why it matters on shift
Rename Legitimate Utilities is one of the concrete ways adversaries achieve defense evasion. Recognising it in telemetry lets you name the technique in your ticket and pivot to what came before and after.
What to look for next
After defense evasion, the next tactic is usually Credential Access. Search your telemetry for the transition before closing the ticket.
Kill-chain context