ffmpeg.exe
Sources: 300M+ executions observed in the wild.
Summary
FFmpeg is an open-source multimedia framework for recording, converting, and streaming audio and video. It supports virtually all media formats and codecs. In this dataset, it is predominantly used by Magnet AXIOM, a digital forensics tool, for processing media evidence.
ffmpeg.exe is the 28th most commonly executed Windows program in EchoTrail's dataset, observed 1,774,759 times across enterprise environments. It typically runs from C:\Program Files\Magnet Forensics\Magnet AXIOM\AXIOM Process and it is most often launched by AXIOMProcess.exe.
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Behavior
Top Paths
- C:\Program Files\Magnet Forensics\Magnet AXIOM\AXIOM Process98.25%
- C:\Users\...1.63%
- C:\Program Files\ImageMagick-7.0.8-Q160.06%
- C:\Program Files\Nuix\Nuix 7.8\bin0.05%
- C:\Program Files (x86)\Real\RealPlayer\RPDS\Tools\ffmpeg0.01%
- C:\Program Files (x86)\ezvid<0.01%
Top Hashes (SHA256)
- c0d1f355ca170b3fbd26fdbe8f661aae52daa29ca469e97ecd96396e2665cb1263.42%
- 5b1369a39710acd01c45afd7d13ff88d98b708fe7beadce428bc8b4d25a72dad34.78%
- 837fb63eea65b7c06a21aaf819f5d3f5e4854873ef1f8e0d1e5402454b865d0b1.08%
- 3fd29d1d7d50bbf6ef7b877e5ec61d6f4735f9a9e12e57013c934de64768d13c0.63%
- 7bcb3fc5fa368dae83c64de24860509967dfab6f4390e76086e59c305e0c051f0.07%
- 990ca8b1859c606d598e48f1ca783f08ce6fe8291ee0dc489794a9ddfac405c20.01%
- 89ad05b7632aab8c7d5dc81fa27ebf1625124aaa644281555c4b47da8b0d74bc<0.01%
- 88e3678c93d27f9be6269d4cfac0ae5361fcecb4171d6834e03b6e307e61e96d<0.01%
Process Ancestry
Top Grandparents
- explorer.exe79.15%
- wyupdate.exe19.71%
- nuix_app.exe0.53%
- cmd.exe0.38%
- svchost.exe0.22%
- Nuix-REST.exe<0.01%
Top Parents
- AXIOMProcess.exe98.25%
- OverwolfBrowser.exe0.55%
- Overwolf.exe0.05%
- nuix_app.exe0.04%
- Nuix-REST.exe<0.01%
Top Children
- conhost.exe100%
- WerFault.exe<0.01%
Security Analysis
What does ffmpeg.exe normally do?
Path varies by the application bundling it. In this dataset, primarily located in the Magnet AXIOM forensics suite directory (C:\Program Files\Magnet Forensics\Magnet AXIOM\AXIOM Process). Also bundled with other applications like iBackupExtractor and Overwolf. Launched by the parent application.
When is ffmpeg.exe suspicious?
ffmpeg.exe is not inherently suspicious. If running from unexpected paths or spawning shells, it could indicate a compromised application or malware masquerading as ffmpeg. Screen or audio capture via ffmpeg could indicate surveillance activity in an attack context.
How do attackers abuse ffmpeg.exe?
Screen/audio capture: attackers can use ffmpeg for recording screen content, keystrokes (via screen recording), or audio for surveillance. Data staging: converting or compressing media for exfiltration. These are uncommon attack patterns.
Detection guidance
Low priority for most environments. In environments that do not use Magnet AXIOM or similar forensics tools, unexpected ffmpeg execution may warrant investigation. Monitor for screen/audio capture flags (-f gdigrab, -f dshow) if concerned about insider threats.
False positive notes
Extremely common in forensics, media production, and development environments. Many applications bundle their own copy of ffmpeg.
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