CrackMapExec

This is a defensive tool-intelligence page. It is intended for analyst navigation, source review, and hunt planning. It is not a malware-analysis report and does not contain sample code or binaries.

Summary

• Associated actor(s): MuddyWater; APT39
• Tool type(s): Post-exploitation / credential validation tool
• Confidence level(s): Medium
• Source ID(s): SRC-MITRE-G0069, SRC-MITRE-G0087

Behavior

Actor	Behavior Summary
APT39	MITRE ATT&CK lists CrackMapExec as software used by this actor; track it as network credential validation and lateral movement behavior.
MuddyWater	MITRE ATT&CK lists CrackMapExec as software used by this actor; track it as network credential validation and lateral movement behavior.

Hash And IOC Status

Actor	Status	Reference
APT39	Hash not committed; use the linked MITRE references and original source reports for current IOCs.	SRC-MITRE-G0087
MuddyWater	Hash not committed; use the linked MITRE references and original source reports for current IOCs.	SRC-MITRE-G0069

Hashes and IOCs on this page are source pointers or representative public indicators. They SHOULD be refreshed from the linked source before operational use and MUST NOT be used alone for actor attribution.

Defensive Hunting Notes

Actor	Hunting Notes
APT39	Hunt for CrackMapExec execution or artifacts only in context: unusual parent process, unexpected host role, suspicious account, external staging, or proximity to the actor intrusion chain.
MuddyWater	Hunt for CrackMapExec execution or artifacts only in context: unusual parent process, unexpected host role, suspicious account, external staging, or proximity to the actor intrusion chain.

Handling Notes

Actor	Handling Notes
APT39	Common or dual-use tools require local allowlisting and must not be used alone for actor attribution.
MuddyWater	Common or dual-use tools require local allowlisting and must not be used alone for actor attribution.

Crosslinks

• MuddyWater: profile, workbench, tool matrix
• APT39: profile, workbench, tool matrix
• Detection status: Detection Status Dashboard
• Hunt workflow: Hunt Workflow

Mapped ATT&CK Techniques For Associated Actor(s)

Actor	Technique	Tactic	Mapping Quality	Source
MuddyWater	T1566 Phishing	Initial Access	M2	SRC-MITRE-G0069
MuddyWater	T1059.001 PowerShell	Execution	M2	SRC-MITRE-G0069
MuddyWater	T1219 Remote Access Software	Command and Control	M3	SRC-MITRE-G0069
MuddyWater	T1567.002 Exfiltration to Cloud Storage	Exfiltration	M2	SRC-THREAT-HUNTER-V3
APT39	T1566.001 Spearphishing Attachment	Initial Access	M2	SRC-MITRE-G0087
APT39	T1003.001 LSASS Memory	Credential Access	M2	SRC-MITRE-G0087

Related Actor-Level Repository Detections

These detections are mapped through the associated actor or scenario and are not automatically tool-specific. Promote a tool-specific detection only after the behavior is tied to telemetry and test evidence.

Actor	Detection	Release Status	DRL	Rule
MuddyWater	DET-002 - Suspicious RMM Installer Download From User Context	Pilot	6	detections/sigma/suspicious-rmm-file-sharing-download.yml
MuddyWater	DET-004 - Mail Click To Execution Correlation	Hunt	4	detections/kql/mail-click-to-exec-correlation.kql

Related Actor-Level Hunts

These hunts are mapped through the associated actor or scenario and may need narrowing before they are used for this specific tool.

Actor	Hunt	Hypothesis	Query
MuddyWater	HUNT-002	If MuddyWater-style RMM abuse is active then unauthorized RMM execution will appear from user-controlled paths	detections/kql/suspicious-rmm-file-sharing-download.kql
MuddyWater	HUNT-004	If VIP phishing is active then mail click events will correlate to risky sign-in or execution	detections/kql/mail-click-to-exec-correlation.kql

Source Review

Source	Publisher	Date	Reliability	Type	Last Reviewed
SRC-MITRE-G0069	MITRE ATT&CK	2026-05-13	A	Knowledge base	2026-05-14
SRC-MITRE-G0087	MITRE ATT&CK	2026-05-14	A	Knowledge base	2026-05-14

If a source publishes a large or frequently changing IOC appendix, keep the current IOC list in the source system or TIP and store only the pointer here.