ExtraHop named a Leader in the 2025 Forrester Wave™: Network Analysis And Visibility Solutions

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DETECTION OVERVIEW

Unusual Executable File Download

Risk Factors

A victim can easily download executable files from the internet. When a victim downloads an executable file, there is a risk that the file contains malware. Attackers can leverage malware to support their operations, such as maintaining control of compromised devices, evading defenses, and running commands to achieve attack campaign objectives.

The system might change the risk score for this detection.

Category

Caution
Detection diagram
Next in Caution: Unusual HTTP Plaintext Authentication

Attack Background

The system detects most forms of executable files, including these file types:

JAVA-CLASS, which is affiliated with executable Java .class files

PE (Win32/64 Portable Executable), which is affiliated with Windows executable files, such as EXE and DLL file types

ELF (Executable and Linkable Format), which is affiliated with Linux executable files, shared objects, and libraries

MACH-O (Mach Object), which is affiliated with macOS and iOS executable files, object codes, and shared libraries

JAR (Java Archive), which is affiliated with Java executable programs

DMG (Disk image), which could contain macOS executable files

Mitigation Options

Quarantine the device while checking for indicators of compromise, such as malware

Configure firewalls to block inbound traffic from suspicious external hosts

Implement network segmentation, security zones, and firewall policies that limit how devices can communicate

MITRE ATT&CK ID

Associated content

Announcing The Forrester Wave™: Network Analysis And Visibility Solutions, Q4 2025

Network analysis and visibility solutions remain underrepresented in enterprises. Find out why in this preview of a new Wave report.

Report

ExtraHop® Named a Leader in First-Ever Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Network Detection and Response — ExtraHop

ExtraHop® Named a Leader in First-Ever Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Network Detection and Response

News

Detections

Visit this resource for more information.

Docs

The 2025 ExtraHop Global Threat Landscape Report: The Alarming Reality of Threat Actor Dwell Time and Deeper Network Access — ExtraHop

This analysis exposes the critical link between an organization's lack of internal visibility and the escalating cost of compromise, demanding an urgent re-evaluation of how core business assets are protected.

Blog

ExtraHop RevealX MITRE ATT&CK Coverage 2024 — ExtraHop

Learn why you need to be wary of the claims certain network detection and response providers make about their coverage against the MITRE ATT&CK framework.

Blog

MITRE ATT&CK - Network Detection & Response with RevealX — ExtraHop

Learn how NDR from RevealX helps security teams detect and investigate more adversary TTPs in the MITRE ATT&CK framework than rule-based tools.

External
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