title: PUA - CsExec Execution
id: d08a2711-ee8b-4323-bdec-b7d85e892b31
status: test
description: Detects the use of the lesser known remote execution tool named CsExec a PsExec alternative
references:
    - https://github.com/malcomvetter/CSExec
    - https://www.microsoft.com/security/blog/2022/05/09/ransomware-as-a-service-understanding-the-cybercrime-gig-economy-and-how-to-protect-yourself/
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems)
date: 2022-08-22
modified: 2023-02-21
tags:
    - attack.resource-development
    - attack.t1587.001
    - attack.execution
    - attack.t1569.002
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        Image|endswith: '\csexec.exe'
    selection_pe:
        Description: 'csexec'
    condition: 1 of selection*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: Antivirus Relevant File Paths Alerts
id: c9a88268-0047-4824-ba6e-4d81ce0b907c
status: test
description: |
    Detects an Antivirus alert in a highly relevant file path or with a relevant file name.
    This event must not be ignored just because the AV has blocked the malware but investigate, how it came there in the first place.
references:
    - https://www.nextron-systems.com/?s=antivirus
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems), Arnim Rupp
date: 2018-09-09
modified: 2024-11-02
tags:
    - attack.resource-development
    - attack.t1588
logsource:
    category: antivirus
detection:
    selection_path:
        Filename|contains:
            - ':\PerfLogs\'
            - ':\Temp\'
            - ':\Users\Default\'
            - ':\Users\Public\'
            - ':\Windows\'
            - '/www/'
            # - '\Client\'
            - '\inetpub\'
            - '\tsclient\'
            - 'apache'
            - 'nginx'
            - 'tomcat'
            - 'weblogic'
    selection_ext:
        Filename|endswith:
            - '.asax'
            - '.ashx'
            - '.asmx'
            - '.asp'
            - '.aspx'
            - '.bat'
            - '.cfm'
            - '.cgi'
            - '.chm'
            - '.cmd'
            - '.dat'
            - '.ear'
            - '.gif'
            - '.hta'
            - '.jpeg'
            - '.jpg'
            - '.jsp'
            - '.jspx'
            - '.lnk'
            - '.msc'
            - '.php'
            - '.pl'
            - '.png'
            - '.ps1'
            - '.psm1'
            - '.py'
            - '.pyc'
            - '.rb'
            - '.scf'
            - '.sct'
            - '.sh'
            - '.svg'
            - '.txt'
            - '.vbe'
            - '.vbs'
            - '.war'
            - '.wll'
            - '.wsf'
            - '.wsh'
            - '.xll'
            - '.xml'
    condition: 1 of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Unlikely
level: high

title: Relevant Anti-Virus Signature Keywords In Application Log
id: 78bc5783-81d9-4d73-ac97-59f6db4f72a8
status: test
description: |
    Detects potentially highly relevant antivirus events in the application log based on known virus signature names and malware keywords.
references:
    - https://www.virustotal.com/gui/file/13828b390d5f58b002e808c2c4f02fdd920e236cc8015480fa33b6c1a9300e31
    - https://www.virustotal.com/gui/file/15b57c1b68cd6ce3c161042e0f3be9f32d78151fe95461eedc59a79fc222c7ed
    - https://www.virustotal.com/gui/file/5092b2672b4cb87a8dd1c2e6047b487b95995ad8ed5e9fc217f46b8bfb1b8c01
    - https://www.nextron-systems.com/?s=antivirus
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems), Arnim Rupp
date: 2017-02-19
modified: 2024-12-25
tags:
    - attack.resource-development
    - attack.t1588
logsource:
    product: windows
    service: application
detection:
    keywords:
        - 'Adfind'
        - 'ASP/BackDoor '
        - 'ATK/'
        - 'Backdoor.ASP'
        - 'Backdoor.Cobalt'
        - 'Backdoor.JSP'
        - 'Backdoor.PHP'
        - 'Blackworm'
        - 'Brutel'
        - 'BruteR'
        - 'Chopper'
        - 'Cobalt'
        - 'COBEACON'
        - 'Cometer'
        - 'CRYPTES'
        - 'Cryptor'
        - 'Destructor'
        - 'DumpCreds'
        - 'Exploit.Script.CVE'
        - 'FastReverseProxy'
        - 'Filecoder'
        - 'GrandCrab '
        - 'HackTool'
        - 'HKTL'
        - 'HTool-'
        - '/HTool'
        - '.HTool'
        - 'IISExchgSpawnCMD'
        - 'Impacket'
        - 'JSP/BackDoor '
        - 'Keylogger'
        - 'Koadic'
        - 'Krypt'
        - 'Lazagne'
        - 'Metasploit'
        - 'Meterpreter'
        - 'MeteTool'
        - 'mikatz'
        - 'Mimikatz'
        - 'Mpreter'
        - 'MsfShell'
        - 'Nighthawk'
        - 'Packed.Generic.347'
        - 'PentestPowerShell'
        - 'Phobos'
        - 'PHP/BackDoor '
        - 'Potato'
        - 'PowerSploit'
        - 'PowerSSH'
        - 'PshlSpy'
        - 'PSWTool'
        - 'PWCrack'
        - 'PWDump'
        - 'Ransom'
        - 'Rozena'
        - 'Ryzerlo'
        - 'Sbelt'
        - 'Seatbelt'
        - 'SecurityTool '
        - 'SharpDump'
        - 'Shellcode'
        - 'Sliver'
        - 'Splinter'
        - 'Swrort'
        - 'Tescrypt'
        - 'TeslaCrypt'
        - 'TurtleLoader'
        - 'Valyria'
        - 'Webshell'
        # - 'FRP.'
        # - 'Locker'
        # - 'PWS.'
        # - 'PWSX'
        # - 'Razy'
        # - 'Ryuk'
    filter_optional_generic:
        - 'anti_ransomware_service.exe'
        - 'Anti-Ransomware'
        - 'Crack'
        - 'cyber-protect-service.exe'
        - 'encryptor'
        - 'Keygen'
    filter_optional_information:
        Level: 4  # Information level
    filter_optional_restartmanager:
        Provider_Name: 'Microsoft-Windows-RestartManager'
    condition: keywords and not 1 of filter_optional_*
falsepositives:
    - Some software piracy tools (key generators, cracks) are classified as hack tools
level: high

title: Hacktool Execution - PE Metadata
id: 37c1333a-a0db-48be-b64b-7393b2386e3b
status: test
description: Detects the execution of different Windows based hacktools via PE metadata (company, product, etc.) even if the files have been renamed
references:
    - https://github.com/cube0x0
    - https://www.virustotal.com/gui/search/metadata%253ACube0x0/files
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems)
date: 2022-04-27
modified: 2024-01-15
tags:
    - attack.credential-access
    - attack.resource-development
    - attack.t1588.002
    - attack.t1003
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        Company: 'Cube0x0' # Detects the use of tools created by a well-known hacktool producer named "Cube0x0", which includes his handle in all binaries as company information in the PE headers (SharpPrintNightmare, KrbRelay, SharpMapExec, etc.)
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Unlikely
level: high

title: Renamed SysInternals DebugView Execution
id: cd764533-2e07-40d6-a718-cfeec7f2da7f
status: test
description: Detects suspicious renamed SysInternals DebugView execution
references:
    - https://www.epicturla.com/blog/sysinturla
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems)
date: 2020-05-28
modified: 2023-02-14
tags:
    - attack.resource-development
    - attack.t1588.002
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        Product: 'Sysinternals DebugView'
    filter:
        OriginalFileName: 'Dbgview.exe'
        Image|endswith: '\Dbgview.exe'
    condition: selection and not filter
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

title: Suspicious Execution Of Renamed Sysinternals Tools - Registry
id: f50f3c09-557d-492d-81db-9064a8d4e211
related:
    - id: 25ffa65d-76d8-4da5-a832-3f2b0136e133
      type: derived
    - id: 8023f872-3f1d-4301-a384-801889917ab4
      type: similar
status: test
description: Detects the creation of the "accepteula" key related to the Sysinternals tools being created from executables with the wrong name (e.g. a renamed Sysinternals tool)
references:
    - Internal Research
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2022-08-24
modified: 2025-10-26
tags:
    - attack.resource-development
    - attack.t1588.002
logsource:
    product: windows
    category: registry_set
detection:
    selection:
        TargetObject|contains:
            # Please add new values while respecting the alphabetical order
            - '\Active Directory Explorer'
            - '\Handle'
            - '\LiveKd'
            - '\ProcDump'
            - '\Process Explorer'
            - '\PsExec'
            - '\PsLoggedon'
            - '\PsLoglist'
            - '\PsPasswd'
            - '\PsPing'
            - '\PsService'
            - '\SDelete'
        TargetObject|endswith: '\EulaAccepted'
    filter:
        Image|endswith:
            # Please add new values while respecting the alphabetical order
            - '\ADExplorer.exe'
            - '\ADExplorer64.exe'
            - '\handle.exe'
            - '\handle64.exe'
            - '\livekd.exe'
            - '\livekd64.exe'
            - '\procdump.exe'
            - '\procdump64.exe'
            - '\procexp.exe'
            - '\procexp64.exe'
            - '\PsExec.exe'
            - '\PsExec64.exe'
            - '\PsLoggedon.exe'
            - '\PsLoggedon64.exe'
            - '\psloglist.exe'
            - '\psloglist64.exe'
            - '\pspasswd.exe'
            - '\pspasswd64.exe'
            - '\PsPing.exe'
            - '\PsPing64.exe'
            - '\PsService.exe'
            - '\PsService64.exe'
            - '\sdelete.exe'
    condition: selection and not filter
falsepositives:
    - Unlikely
level: high
regression_tests_path: regression_data/rules/windows/registry/registry_set/registry_set_pua_sysinternals_renamed_execution_via_eula/info.yml

title: Usage of Renamed Sysinternals Tools - RegistrySet
id: 8023f872-3f1d-4301-a384-801889917ab4
related:
    - id: 25ffa65d-76d8-4da5-a832-3f2b0136e133
      type: derived
    - id: f50f3c09-557d-492d-81db-9064a8d4e211
      type: similar
status: test
description: Detects non-sysinternals tools setting the "accepteula" key which normally is set on sysinternals tool execution
references:
    - Internal Research
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2022-08-24
modified: 2023-08-17
tags:
    - attack.resource-development
    - attack.t1588.002
logsource:
    product: windows
    category: registry_set
detection:
    selection:
        TargetObject|contains:
            - '\PsExec'
            - '\ProcDump'
            - '\Handle'
            - '\LiveKd'
            - '\Process Explorer'
            - '\PsLoglist'
            - '\PsPasswd'
            - '\Active Directory Explorer'
        TargetObject|endswith: '\EulaAccepted'
    filter_main_image_names:
        Image|endswith:
            - '\PsExec.exe'
            - '\PsExec64.exe'
            - '\procdump.exe'
            - '\procdump64.exe'
            - '\handle.exe'
            - '\handle64.exe'
            - '\livekd.exe'
            - '\livekd64.exe'
            - '\procexp.exe'
            - '\procexp64.exe'
            - '\psloglist.exe'
            - '\psloglist64.exe'
            - '\pspasswd.exe'
            - '\pspasswd64.exe'
            - '\ADExplorer.exe'
            - '\ADExplorer64.exe'
    filter_optional_null:
        Image: null # Race condition with some logging tools
    condition: selection and not 1 of filter_main_* and not 1 of filter_optional_*
falsepositives:
    - Unlikely
level: high

title: Suspicious Installer Package Child Process
id: e0cfaecd-602d-41af-988d-f6ccebb2af26
status: test
description: Detects the execution of suspicious child processes from macOS installer package parent process. This includes osascript, JXA, curl and wget amongst other interpreters
references:
    - https://redcanary.com/blog/clipping-silver-sparrows-wings/
    - https://github.com/elastic/detection-rules/blob/4312d8c9583be524578a14fe6295c3370b9a9307/rules/macos/execution_installer_package_spawned_network_event.toml
author: Sohan G (D4rkCiph3r)
date: 2023-02-18
tags:
    - attack.t1059
    - attack.t1059.007
    - attack.t1071
    - attack.t1071.001
    - attack.execution
    - attack.command-and-control
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: macos
detection:
    selection_installer:
        ParentImage|endswith:
            - '/package_script_service'
            - '/installer'
        Image|endswith:
            - '/sh'
            - '/bash'
            - '/dash'
            - '/python'
            - '/ruby'
            - '/perl'
            - '/php'
            - '/javascript'
            - '/osascript'
            - '/tclsh'
            - '/curl'
            - '/wget'
        CommandLine|contains:
            - 'preinstall'
            - 'postinstall'
    condition: selection_installer
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate software uses the scripts (preinstall, postinstall)
level: medium

title: Potentially Suspicious Rundll32.EXE Execution of UDL File
id: 0ea52357-cd59-4340-9981-c46c7e900428
status: test
description: |
    Detects the execution of rundll32.exe with the oledb32.dll library to open a UDL file.
    Threat actors can abuse this technique as a phishing vector to capture authentication credentials or other sensitive data.
references:
    - https://trustedsec.com/blog/oops-i-udld-it-again
author: '@kostastsale'
date: 2024-08-16
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.command-and-control
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1218.011
    - attack.t1071
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_parent:
        ParentImage|endswith: '\explorer.exe'
    selection_img:
        - Image|endswith: '\rundll32.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'RUNDLL32.EXE'
    selection_cli:
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - 'oledb32.dll'
            - ',OpenDSLFile '
            - '\\Users\\*\\Downloads\\' # Note: You can adjust the path to the download directory or other directories according to your environment.
        CommandLine|endswith: '.udl'
    condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - UDL files serve as a convenient and flexible tool for managing and testing database connections in various development and administrative scenarios.
level: medium

title: Github Self-Hosted Runner Execution
id: 5bac7a56-da88-4c27-922e-c81e113b20cb
status: test
description: |
    Detects GitHub self-hosted runners executing workflows on local infrastructure that could be abused for persistence and code execution.
    Shai-Hulud is an npm supply chain worm targeting CI/CD environments.
    It installs runners on compromised systems to maintain access after credential theft, leveraging their access to secrets and internal networks.
references:
    - https://about.gitlab.com/blog/gitlab-discovers-widespread-npm-supply-chain-attack/
    - https://securitylabs.datadoghq.com/articles/shai-hulud-2.0-npm-worm/
author: Daniel Koifman (KoifSec)
date: 2025-11-29
tags:
    - attack.command-and-control
    - attack.t1102.002
    - attack.t1071
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_worker_img:  # Example command C:\Users\Lab\actions-runner\bin\Runner.Worker.exe spawnclient 1288 1252
        - Image|endswith: '\Runner.Worker.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'Runner.Worker.dll'
    selection_worker_cli:
        CommandLine|contains: 'spawnclient'
    selection_listener_img: # Example command C:\Users\Lab\actions-runner\bin\Runner.Listener.exe  configure --url https://github.com/ABC/ABC --token 123123
        - Image|endswith: '\Runner.Listener.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'Runner.Listener.dll'
    selection_listener_cli:
        CommandLine|contains:
            - 'run'
            - 'configure'
    condition: all of selection_worker_* or all of selection_listener_*
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate GitHub self-hosted runner installations on designated CI/CD infrastructure
    - Authorized runner deployments by DevOps/Platform teams following change management
    - Scheduled runner updates or reconfigurations on existing build agents
    - Self-hosted runners that follow expected/known naming patterns
    - Installation via expected/known configuration management tools (reflected mostly as parent process name)
level: medium
regression_tests_path: regression_data/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_github_self_hosted_runner/info.yml

title: Suspicious Curl Change User Agents - Linux
id: b86d356d-6093-443d-971c-9b07db583c68
related:
    - id: 3286d37a-00fd-41c2-a624-a672dcd34e60
      type: derived
status: test
description: Detects a suspicious curl process start on linux with set useragent options
references:
    - https://curl.se/docs/manpage.html
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2022-09-15
tags:
    - attack.command-and-control
    - attack.t1071.001
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: linux
detection:
    selection:
        Image|endswith: '/curl'
        CommandLine|contains:
            - ' -A '
            - ' --user-agent '
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Scripts created by developers and admins
    - Administrative activity
level: medium

title: Change User Agents with WebRequest
id: d4488827-73af-4f8d-9244-7b7662ef046e
status: test
description: |
    Adversaries may communicate using application layer protocols associated with web traffic to avoid detection/network filtering by blending in with existing traffic.
    Commands to the remote system, and often the results of those commands, will be embedded within the protocol traffic between the client and server.
references:
    - https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1071.001/T1071.001.md#t1071001---web-protocols
author: frack113
date: 2022-01-23
modified: 2025-07-18
tags:
    - attack.command-and-control
    - attack.t1071.001
logsource:
    product: windows
    category: ps_script
    definition: 'Requirements: Script Block Logging must be enabled'
detection:
    selection_webrequest:
        ScriptBlockText|contains:
            - 'Invoke-WebRequest'
            - 'Invoke-RestMethod'
            - ' irm ' # Space before and after to avoid false positives with 'irm' as a variable
            - 'iwr '
    selection_useragent:
        ScriptBlockText|contains: '-UserAgent '
    condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium

title: Cloudflared Tunnels Related DNS Requests
id: a1d9eec5-33b2-4177-8d24-27fe754d0812
related:
    - id: 7cd1dcdc-6edf-4896-86dc-d1f19ad64903
      type: similar
status: test
description: |
    Detects DNS requests to Cloudflared tunnels domains.
    Attackers can abuse that feature to establish a reverse shell or persistence on a machine.
references:
    - https://www.guidepointsecurity.com/blog/tunnel-vision-cloudflared-abused-in-the-wild/
    - Internal Research
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2023-12-20
tags:
    - attack.command-and-control
    - attack.t1071.001
    - attack.t1572
logsource:
    category: dns_query
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        QueryName|endswith:
            - '.v2.argotunnel.com'
            - 'protocol-v2.argotunnel.com'
            - 'trycloudflare.com'
            - 'update.argotunnel.com'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate use of cloudflare tunnels will also trigger this.
level: medium

title: DNS Query To Visual Studio Code Tunnels Domain
id: b3e6418f-7c7a-4fad-993a-93b65027a9f1
related:
    - id: 9501f8e6-8e3d-48fc-a8a6-1089dd5d7ef4 # Net Connection DevTunnels
      type: similar
    - id: 4b657234-038e-4ad5-997c-4be42340bce4 # Net Connection VsCode
      type: similar
    - id: 1cb0c6ce-3d00-44fc-ab9c-6d6d577bf20b # DNS DevTunnels
      type: similar
status: test
description: |
    Detects DNS query requests to Visual Studio Code tunnel domains. Attackers can abuse that feature to establish a reverse shell or persistence on a machine.
references:
    - https://ipfyx.fr/post/visual-studio-code-tunnel/
    - https://badoption.eu/blog/2023/01/31/code_c2.html
    - https://cydefops.com/vscode-data-exfiltration
author: citron_ninja
date: 2023-10-25
modified: 2023-11-20
tags:
    - attack.command-and-control
    - attack.t1071.001
logsource:
    product: windows
    category: dns_query
detection:
    selection:
        QueryName|endswith: '.tunnels.api.visualstudio.com'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate use of Visual Studio Code tunnel will also trigger this.
level: medium

title: DNS Query To Devtunnels Domain
id: 1cb0c6ce-3d00-44fc-ab9c-6d6d577bf20b
related:
    - id: 9501f8e6-8e3d-48fc-a8a6-1089dd5d7ef4 # Net Connection DevTunnels
      type: similar
    - id: 4b657234-038e-4ad5-997c-4be42340bce4 # Net Connection VsCode
      type: similar
    - id: b3e6418f-7c7a-4fad-993a-93b65027a9f1 # DNS VsCode
      type: similar
status: test
description: |
    Detects DNS query requests to Devtunnels domains. Attackers can abuse that feature to establish a reverse shell or persistence on a machine.
references:
    - https://blueteamops.medium.com/detecting-dev-tunnels-16f0994dc3e2
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/developer/dev-tunnels/security
    - https://cydefops.com/devtunnels-unleashed
author: citron_ninja
date: 2023-10-25
modified: 2023-11-20
tags:
    - attack.command-and-control
    - attack.t1071.001
    - attack.t1572
logsource:
    category: dns_query
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        QueryName|endswith: '.devtunnels.ms'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate use of Devtunnels will also trigger this.
level: medium

title: Visual Studio Code Tunnel Execution
id: 90d6bd71-dffb-4989-8d86-a827fedd6624
status: test
description: Detects Visual Studio Code tunnel execution. Attackers can abuse this functionality to establish a C2 channel
references:
    - https://ipfyx.fr/post/visual-studio-code-tunnel/
    - https://badoption.eu/blog/2023/01/31/code_c2.html
    - https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/remote/tunnels
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), citron_ninja
date: 2023-10-25
modified: 2025-10-29
tags:
    - attack.command-and-control
    - attack.t1071.001
    - attack.t1219
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_only_tunnel:
        OriginalFileName: null
        CommandLine|endswith: '.exe tunnel'
    selection_tunnel_args:
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - '.exe tunnel'
            - '--accept-server-license-terms'
    selection_parent_tunnel:
        ParentCommandLine|endswith: ' tunnel'
        Image|endswith: '\cmd.exe'
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - '/d /c '
            - '\servers\Stable-'
            - 'code-server.cmd'
    condition: 1 of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate use of Visual Studio Code tunnel
level: medium

title: Visual Studio Code Tunnel Shell Execution
id: f4a623c2-4ef5-4c33-b811-0642f702c9f1
status: test
description: Detects the execution of a shell (powershell, bash, wsl...) via Visual Studio Code tunnel. Attackers can abuse this functionality to establish a C2 channel and execute arbitrary commands on the system.
references:
    - https://ipfyx.fr/post/visual-studio-code-tunnel/
    - https://badoption.eu/blog/2023/01/31/code_c2.html
    - https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/remote/tunnels
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2023-10-25
tags:
    - attack.command-and-control
    - attack.t1071.001
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_parent:
        ParentImage|contains: '\servers\Stable-'
        ParentImage|endswith: '\server\node.exe'
        ParentCommandLine|contains: '.vscode-server' # Technically one can host its own local server instead of using the VsCode one. And that would probably change the name (requires further research)
    # Note: Child processes (ie: shells) can be whatever technically (with some efforts)
    selection_child_1:
        Image|endswith:
            - '\powershell.exe'
            - '\pwsh.exe'
        CommandLine|contains: '\terminal\browser\media\shellIntegration.ps1'
    selection_child_2:
        Image|endswith:
            - '\wsl.exe'
            - '\bash.exe'
    condition: selection_parent and 1 of selection_child_*
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate use of Visual Studio Code tunnel and running code from there
level: medium

title: Visual Studio Code Tunnel Service Installation
id: 30bf1789-379d-4fdc-900f-55cd0a90a801
status: test
description: Detects the installation of VsCode tunnel (code-tunnel) as a service.
references:
    - https://ipfyx.fr/post/visual-studio-code-tunnel/
    - https://badoption.eu/blog/2023/01/31/code_c2.html
    - https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/remote/tunnels
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2023-10-25
tags:
    - attack.command-and-control
    - attack.t1071.001
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - 'tunnel '
            - 'service'
            - 'internal-run'
            - 'tunnel-service.log'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate installation of code-tunnel as a service
level: medium

title: Suspicious Base64 Encoded User-Agent
id: d443095b-a221-4957-a2c4-cd1756c9b747
related:
    - id: 894a8613-cf12-48b3-8e57-9085f54aa0c3
      type: derived
status: test
description: Detects suspicious encoded User-Agent strings, as seen used by some malware.
references:
    - https://deviceatlas.com/blog/list-of-user-agent-strings#desktop
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2023-05-04
tags:
    - attack.command-and-control
    - attack.t1071.001
logsource:
    category: proxy
detection:
    selection:
        c-useragent|startswith:
            - 'Q2hyb21l' # Chrome Encoded with offset to not include padding
            - 'QXBwbGVXZWJLaX' # AppleWebKit Encoded with offset to not include padding
            - 'RGFsdmlr' # Dalvik Encoded with offset to not include padding
            - 'TW96aWxsY'  # Mozilla Encoded with offset to not include padding (as used by YamaBot)
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium

title: Windows PowerShell User Agent
id: c8557060-9221-4448-8794-96320e6f3e74
status: test
description: Detects Windows PowerShell Web Access
references:
    - https://msdn.microsoft.com/powershell/reference/5.1/microsoft.powershell.utility/Invoke-WebRequest
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems)
date: 2017-03-13
modified: 2021-11-27
tags:
    - attack.command-and-control
    - attack.t1071.001
logsource:
    category: proxy
detection:
    selection:
        c-useragent|contains: ' WindowsPowerShell/'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Administrative scripts that download files from the Internet
    - Administrative scripts that retrieve certain website contents
level: medium

title: Potential Base64 Encoded User-Agent
id: 894a8613-cf12-48b3-8e57-9085f54aa0c3
related:
    - id: d443095b-a221-4957-a2c4-cd1756c9b747
      type: derived
status: test
description: Detects User Agent strings that end with an equal sign, which can be a sign of base64 encoding.
references:
    - https://blogs.jpcert.or.jp/en/2022/07/yamabot.html
    - https://deviceatlas.com/blog/list-of-user-agent-strings#desktop
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems), Brian Ingram (update)
date: 2022-07-08
modified: 2023-05-04
tags:
    - attack.command-and-control
    - attack.t1071.001
logsource:
    category: proxy
detection:
    selection:
        c-useragent|endswith: '='
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium

title: HTTP Request With Empty User Agent
id: 21e44d78-95e7-421b-a464-ffd8395659c4
status: test
description: |
    Detects a potentially suspicious empty user agent strings in proxy log.
    Could potentially indicate an uncommon request method.
references:
    - https://twitter.com/Carlos_Perez/status/883455096645931008
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems)
date: 2017-07-08
modified: 2021-11-27
tags:
    - attack.command-and-control
    - attack.t1071.001
logsource:
    category: proxy
detection:
    selection:
      # Empty string - as used by Powershell's (New-Object Net.WebClient).DownloadString
        c-useragent: ''
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium

title: Telegram API Access
id: b494b165-6634-483d-8c47-2026a6c52372
status: test
description: Detects suspicious requests to Telegram API without the usual Telegram User-Agent
references:
    - https://researchcenter.paloaltonetworks.com/2018/03/unit42-telerat-another-android-trojan-leveraging-telegrams-bot-api-to-target-iranian-users/
    - https://blog.malwarebytes.com/threat-analysis/2016/11/telecrypt-the-ransomware-abusing-telegram-api-defeated/
    - https://www.welivesecurity.com/2016/12/13/rise-telebots-analyzing-disruptive-killdisk-attacks/
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems)
date: 2018-06-05
modified: 2023-05-18
tags:
    - attack.command-and-control
    - attack.t1071.001
    - attack.t1102.002
logsource:
    category: proxy
detection:
    selection:
        cs-host: 'api.telegram.org' # Often used by Bots
    filter:
        c-useragent|contains:
            # Used https://core.telegram.org/bots/samples for this list
            - 'Telegram'
            - 'Bot'
    condition: selection and not filter
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate use of Telegram bots in the company
level: medium

title: Suspicious TCP Tunnel Via PowerShell Script
id: bd33d2aa-497e-4651-9893-5c5364646595
status: test
description: Detects powershell scripts that creates sockets/listeners which could be indicative of tunneling activity
references:
    - https://github.com/Arno0x/PowerShellScripts/blob/a6b7d5490fbf0b20f91195838f3a11156724b4f7/proxyTunnel.ps1
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2022-07-08
tags:
    - attack.command-and-control
    - attack.t1090
logsource:
    product: windows
    category: ps_script
    definition: 'Requirements: Script Block Logging must be enabled'
detection:
    selection:
        ScriptBlockText|contains|all:
            - '[System.Net.HttpWebRequest]'
            - 'System.Net.Sockets.TcpListener'
            - 'AcceptTcpClient'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium

title: Cloudflared Tunnel Execution
id: 9a019ffc-3580-4c9d-8d87-079f7e8d3fd4
status: test
description: Detects execution of the "cloudflared" tool to connect back to a tunnel. This was seen used by threat actors to maintain persistence and remote access to compromised networks.
references:
    - https://blog.reconinfosec.com/emergence-of-akira-ransomware-group
    - https://github.com/cloudflare/cloudflared
    - https://developers.cloudflare.com/cloudflare-one/connections/connect-apps
author: Janantha Marasinghe, Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2023-05-17
modified: 2023-12-20
tags:
    - attack.command-and-control
    - attack.t1102
    - attack.t1090
    - attack.t1572
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - ' tunnel '
            - ' run '
        CommandLine|contains:
            - '-config '
            - '-credentials-contents '
            - '-credentials-file '
            - '-token '
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate usage of Cloudflared tunnel.
level: medium

title: Cloudflared Tunnel Connections Cleanup
id: 7050bba1-1aed-454e-8f73-3f46f09ce56a
status: test
description: Detects execution of the "cloudflared" tool with the tunnel "cleanup" flag in order to cleanup tunnel connections.
references:
    - https://github.com/cloudflare/cloudflared
    - https://developers.cloudflare.com/cloudflare-one/connections/connect-apps
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2023-05-17
modified: 2023-12-21
tags:
    - attack.command-and-control
    - attack.t1102
    - attack.t1090
    - attack.t1572
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - ' tunnel '
            - 'cleanup '
        CommandLine|contains:
            - '-config '
            - '-connector-id '
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate usage of Cloudflared.
level: medium

title: New Port Forwarding Rule Added Via Netsh.EXE
id: 322ed9ec-fcab-4f67-9a34-e7c6aef43614
status: test
description: Detects the execution of netsh commands that configure a new port forwarding (PortProxy) rule
references:
    - https://www.fireeye.com/blog/threat-research/2019/01/bypassing-network-restrictions-through-rdp-tunneling.html
    - https://adepts.of0x.cc/netsh-portproxy-code/
    - https://www.dfirnotes.net/portproxy_detection/
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems), omkar72, oscd.community, Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel
date: 2019-01-29
modified: 2023-09-01
tags:
    - attack.lateral-movement
    - attack.command-and-control
    - attack.t1090
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_img:
        - Image|endswith: '\netsh.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'netsh.exe'
    selection_cli_1:
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - 'interface'
            - 'portproxy'
            - 'add'
            - 'v4tov4'
    selection_cli_2:
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            # Example: netsh I p a v l=8001 listena=127.0.0.1 connectp=80 c=192.168.1.1
            - 'i ' # interface
            - 'p ' # portproxy
            - 'a ' # add
            - 'v ' # v4tov4
    selection_cli_3:
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - 'connectp'
            - 'listena'
            - 'c='
    condition: selection_img and 1 of selection_cli_*
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate administration activity
    - WSL2 network bridge PowerShell script used for WSL/Kubernetes/Docker (e.g. https://github.com/microsoft/WSL/issues/4150#issuecomment-504209723)
level: medium

title: Potentially Suspicious Usage Of Qemu
id: 5fc297ae-25b6-488a-8f25-cc12ac29b744
status: test
description: |
    Detects potentially suspicious execution of the Qemu utility in a Windows environment.
    Threat actors have leveraged this utility and this technique for achieving network access as reported by Kaspersky.
references:
    - https://securelist.com/network-tunneling-with-qemu/111803/
    - https://www.qemu.org/docs/master/system/invocation.html#hxtool-5
author: Muhammad Faisal (@faisalusuf), Hunter Juhan (@threatHNTR)
date: 2024-06-03
tags:
    - attack.command-and-control
    - attack.t1090
    - attack.t1572
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        CommandLine|contains:
            - '-m 1M' # VM with just 1MB of ram is insufficient this is a suspicious flag
            - '-m 2M'
            - '-m 3M'
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - 'restrict=off'
            - '-netdev '
            - 'connect='
            - '-nographic' # This is also a key detection no one invoke without UI from console usually its a flag.
    filter_main_normal_usecase:
        CommandLine|contains:
            - ' -cdrom ' # Normal usage cases
            - ' type=virt '
            - ' -blockdev '
    condition: selection and not 1 of filter_main_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium

title: New PortProxy Registry Entry Added
id: a54f842a-3713-4b45-8c84-5f136fdebd3c
status: test
description: Detects the modification of the PortProxy registry key which is used for port forwarding.
references:
    - https://www.fireeye.com/blog/threat-research/2019/01/bypassing-network-restrictions-through-rdp-tunneling.html
    - https://adepts.of0x.cc/netsh-portproxy-code/
    - https://www.dfirnotes.net/portproxy_detection/
author: Andreas Hunkeler (@Karneades)
date: 2021-06-22
modified: 2024-03-25
tags:
    - attack.lateral-movement
    - attack.command-and-control
    - attack.t1090
logsource:
    category: registry_event
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        # Example: HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\PortProxy\v4tov4\tcp\0.0.0.0/1337
        TargetObject|contains: '\Services\PortProxy\v4tov4\tcp\'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - WSL2 network bridge PowerShell script used for WSL/Kubernetes/Docker (e.g. https://github.com/microsoft/WSL/issues/4150#issuecomment-504209723)
    - Synergy Software KVM (https://symless.com/synergy)
level: medium

title: Network Communication Initiated To Portmap.IO Domain
id: 07837ab9-60e1-481f-a74d-c31fb496a94c
status: test
description: Detects an executable accessing the portmap.io domain, which could be a sign of forbidden C2 traffic or data exfiltration by malicious actors
references:
    - https://portmap.io/
    - https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/issues/11337
    - https://pro.twitter.com/JaromirHorejsi/status/1795001037746761892/photo/2
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems)
date: 2024-05-31
tags:
    - attack.t1041
    - attack.command-and-control
    - attack.t1090.002
    - attack.exfiltration
logsource:
    category: network_connection
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        Initiated: 'true'
        DestinationHostname|endswith: '.portmap.io'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate use of portmap.io domains
level: medium

title: Potential Abuse of Linux Magic System Request Key
id: ea61bb82-a5e0-42e6-8537-91d29500f1b9
status: experimental
description: |
    Detects the potential abuse of the Linux Magic SysRq (System Request) key by adversaries with root or sufficient privileges
    to silently manipulate or destabilize a system. By writing to /proc/sysrq-trigger, they can crash the system, kill processes,
    or disrupt forensic analysis—all while bypassing standard logging. Though intended for recovery and debugging, SysRq can be
    misused as a stealthy post-exploitation tool. It is controlled via /proc/sys/kernel/sysrq or permanently through /etc/sysctl.conf.
references:
    - https://www.kernel.org/doc/html/v4.10/_sources/admin-guide/sysrq.txt
    - https://docs.redhat.com/en/documentation/red_hat_enterprise_linux/4/html/reference_guide/s3-proc-sys-kernel
    - https://www.splunk.com/en_us/blog/security/threat-update-awfulshred-script-wiper.html
author: Milad Cheraghi
date: 2025-05-23
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.t1059.004
    - attack.impact
    - attack.t1529
    - attack.t1489
    - attack.t1499
logsource:
    product: linux
    service: auditd
    definition: |
        Required auditd configuration:
        -w /proc/sysrq-trigger -p wa -k sysrq
        -w /proc/sys/kernel/sysrq -p wa -k sysrq
detection:
    selection:
        type: 'PATH'
        name|endswith:
            # Enable
            - '/sysrq'
            - '/sysctl.conf'
            # Execute
            - '/sysrq-trigger'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate administrative activity
level: medium

title: Program Executions in Suspicious Folders
id: a39d7fa7-3fbd-4dc2-97e1-d87f546b1bbc
status: test
description: Detects program executions in suspicious non-program folders related to malware or hacking activity
references:
    - Internal Research
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems)
date: 2018-01-23
modified: 2021-11-27
tags:
    - attack.t1587
    - attack.t1584
    - attack.resource-development
logsource:
    product: linux
    service: auditd
detection:
    selection:
        type: 'SYSCALL'
        exe|startswith:
            # Temporary folder
            - '/tmp/'
            # Web server
            - '/var/www/'              # Standard
            - '/home/*/public_html/'   # Per-user
            - '/usr/local/apache2/'    # Classical Apache
            - '/usr/local/httpd/'      # Old SuSE Linux 6.* Apache
            - '/var/apache/'           # Solaris Apache
            - '/srv/www/'              # SuSE Linux 9.*
            - '/home/httpd/html/'      # Redhat 6 or older Apache
            - '/srv/http/'             # ArchLinux standard
            - '/usr/share/nginx/html/' # ArchLinux nginx
            # Data dirs of typically exploited services (incomplete list)
            - '/var/lib/pgsql/data/'
            - '/usr/local/mysql/data/'
            - '/var/lib/mysql/'
            - '/var/vsftpd/'
            - '/etc/bind/'
            - '/var/named/'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Admin activity (especially in /tmp folders)
    - Crazy web applications
level: medium

title: VHD Image Download Via Browser
id: 8468111a-ef07-4654-903b-b863a80bbc95
status: test
description: |
    Detects creation of ".vhd"/".vhdx" files by browser processes.
    Malware can use mountable Virtual Hard Disk ".vhd" files to encapsulate payloads and evade security controls.
references:
    - https://redcanary.com/blog/intelligence-insights-october-2021/
    - https://www.kaspersky.com/blog/lazarus-vhd-ransomware/36559/
    - https://securelist.com/lazarus-on-the-hunt-for-big-game/97757/
author: frack113, Christopher Peacock '@securepeacock', SCYTHE '@scythe_io'
date: 2021-10-25
modified: 2023-05-05
tags:
    - attack.resource-development
    - attack.t1587.001
logsource:
    category: file_event
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        Image|endswith:
            - '\brave.exe'
            - '\chrome.exe'
            - '\firefox.exe'
            - '\iexplore.exe'
            - '\maxthon.exe'
            - '\MicrosoftEdge.exe'
            - '\msedge.exe'
            - '\msedgewebview2.exe'
            - '\opera.exe'
            - '\safari.exe'
            - '\seamonkey.exe'
            - '\vivaldi.exe'
            - '\whale.exe'
        # We don't use "endswith" to also match with ADS logs and ".vhdx". Example: "TargetFilename: C:\Users\xxx\Downloads\windows.vhd:Zone.Identifier"
        TargetFilename|contains: '.vhd'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate downloads of ".vhd" files would also trigger this
level: medium

title: Suspicious Keyboard Layout Load
id: 34aa0252-6039-40ff-951f-939fd6ce47d8
status: test
description: Detects the keyboard preload installation with a suspicious keyboard layout, e.g. Chinese, Iranian or Vietnamese layout load in user session on systems maintained by US staff only
references:
    - https://renenyffenegger.ch/notes/Windows/registry/tree/HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Keyboard-Layout/Preload/index
    - https://github.com/SwiftOnSecurity/sysmon-config/pull/92/files
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems)
date: 2019-10-12
modified: 2023-08-17
tags:
    - attack.resource-development
    - attack.t1588.002
logsource:
    category: registry_set
    product: windows
    definition: 'Requirements: Sysmon config that monitors \Keyboard Layout\Preload subkey of the HKLU hives - see https://github.com/SwiftOnSecurity/sysmon-config/pull/92/files'
detection:
    selection_registry:
        TargetObject|contains:
            - '\Keyboard Layout\Preload\'
            - '\Keyboard Layout\Substitutes\'
        Details|contains:
            - 00000429  # Persian (Iran)
            - 00050429  # Persian (Iran)
            - 0000042a  # Vietnamese
    condition: selection_registry
falsepositives:
    - Administrators or users that actually use the selected keyboard layouts (heavily depends on the organisation's user base)
level: medium

title: PUA - Sysinternals Tools Execution - Registry
id: c7da8edc-49ae-45a2-9e61-9fd860e4e73d
related:
    - id: 25ffa65d-76d8-4da5-a832-3f2b0136e133
      type: derived
    - id: 9841b233-8df8-4ad7-9133-b0b4402a9014
      type: obsolete
status: test
description: Detects the execution of some potentially unwanted tools such as PsExec, Procdump, etc. (part of the Sysinternals suite) via the creation of the "accepteula" registry key.
references:
    - https://twitter.com/Moti_B/status/1008587936735035392
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2022-08-24
modified: 2025-10-26
tags:
    - attack.resource-development
    - attack.t1588.002
logsource:
    product: windows
    category: registry_set
detection:
    selection:
        TargetObject|contains:
            - '\Active Directory Explorer'
            - '\Handle'
            - '\LiveKd'
            - '\Process Explorer'
            - '\ProcDump'
            - '\PsExec'
            - '\PsLoglist'
            - '\PsPasswd'
            - '\SDelete'
            - '\Sysinternals' # Global level https://twitter.com/leonzandman/status/1561736801953382400
        TargetObject|endswith: '\EulaAccepted'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate use of SysInternals tools. Filter the legitimate paths used in your environment
level: medium
regression_tests_path: regression_data/rules/windows/registry/registry_set/registry_set_pua_sysinternals_susp_execution_via_eula/info.yml

title: Bitbucket User Details Export Attempt Detected
id: 5259cbf2-0a75-48bf-b57a-c54d6fabaef3
status: test
description: Detects user data export activity.
references:
    - https://confluence.atlassian.com/bitbucketserver/audit-log-events-776640423.html
    - https://support.atlassian.com/security-and-access-policies/docs/export-user-accounts
author: Muhammad Faisal (@faisalusuf)
date: 2024-02-25
tags:
    - attack.collection
    - attack.reconnaissance
    - attack.discovery
    - attack.t1213
    - attack.t1082
    - attack.t1591.004
logsource:
    product: bitbucket
    service: audit
    definition: 'Requirements: "Advance" log level is required to receive these audit events.'
detection:
    selection:
        auditType.category: 'Users and groups'
        auditType.action:
            - 'User permissions export failed'
            - 'User permissions export started'
            - 'User permissions exported'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate user activity.
level: medium

title: Bitbucket User Permissions Export Attempt
id: 87cc6698-3e07-4ba2-9b43-a85a73e151e2
status: test
description: Detects user permission data export attempt.
references:
    - https://confluence.atlassian.com/bitbucketserver/audit-log-events-776640423.html
    - https://confluence.atlassian.com/bitbucketserver/users-and-groups-776640439.html
author: Muhammad Faisal (@faisalusuf)
date: 2024-02-25
tags:
    - attack.reconnaissance
    - attack.collection
    - attack.discovery
    - attack.t1213
    - attack.t1082
    - attack.t1591.004
logsource:
    product: bitbucket
    service: audit
    definition: 'Requirements: "Advance" log level is required to receive these audit events.'
detection:
    selection:
        auditType.category: 'Users and groups'
        auditType.action:
            - 'User details export failed'
            - 'User details export started'
            - 'User details exported'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate user activity.
level: medium

title: DNS Query Request By QuickAssist.EXE
id: 882e858a-3233-4ba8-855e-2f3d3575803d
status: experimental
description: |
    Detects DNS queries initiated by "QuickAssist.exe" to Microsoft Quick Assist primary endpoint that is used to establish a session.
references:
    - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2024/05/15/threat-actors-misusing-quick-assist-in-social-engineering-attacks-leading-to-ransomware/
    - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/kevin-beaumont-security_ive-been-assisting-a-few-orgs-hit-with-successful-activity-7268055739116445701-xxjZ/
    - https://x.com/cyb3rops/status/1862406110365245506
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/client-management/client-tools/quick-assist
author: Muhammad Faisal (@faisalusuf)
date: 2024-12-19
tags:
    - attack.command-and-control
    - attack.initial-access
    - attack.lateral-movement
    - attack.t1071.001
    - attack.t1210
logsource:
    category: dns_query
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        Image|endswith: '\QuickAssist.exe'
        QueryName|endswith: 'remoteassistance.support.services.microsoft.com'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate use of Quick Assist in the environment.
level: low

title: Connection Proxy
id: 72f4ab3f-787d-495d-a55d-68c2ff46cf4c
status: test
description: Detects setting proxy configuration
author: Ömer Günal
date: 2020-06-17
modified: 2022-10-05
tags:
    - attack.command-and-control
    - attack.t1090
logsource:
    product: linux
    category: process_creation
detection:
    selection:
        CommandLine|contains:
            - 'http_proxy='
            - 'https_proxy='
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate administration activities
level: low

title: Deployment Deleted From Kubernetes Cluster
id: 40967487-139b-4811-81d9-c9767a92aa5a
status: test
description: |
    Detects the removal of a deployment from a Kubernetes cluster.
    This could indicate disruptive activity aiming to impact business operations.
references:
    - https://microsoft.github.io/Threat-Matrix-for-Kubernetes/techniques/Data%20destruction/
author: Leo Tsaousis (@laripping)
date: 2024-03-26
tags:
    - attack.t1498
    - attack.impact
logsource:
    category: application
    product: kubernetes
    service: audit
detection:
    selection:
        verb: 'delete'
        objectRef.resource: 'deployments'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: low

title: Windows Update Error
id: 13cfeb75-9e33-4d04-b0f7-ab8faaa95a59
status: stable
description: |
    Detects Windows update errors including installation failures and connection issues. Defenders should observe this in case critical update KBs aren't installed.
references:
    - https://github.com/nasbench/EVTX-ETW-Resources/blob/f1b010ce0ee1b71e3024180de1a3e67f99701fe4/ETWProvidersManifests/Windows10/1903/W10_1903_Pro_20200714_18362.959/WEPExplorer/Microsoft-Windows-WindowsUpdateClient.xml
author: frack113
date: 2021-12-04
modified: 2023-09-07
tags:
    - attack.impact
    - attack.resource-development
    - attack.t1584
logsource:
    product: windows
    service: system
detection:
    selection:
        Provider_Name: Microsoft-Windows-WindowsUpdateClient
        EventID:
            - 16 # Unable to Connect: Windows is unable to connect to the automatic updates service and therefore cannot download and install updates according to the set schedule
            - 20 # Installation Failure: Windows failed to install the following update with error
            - 24 # Uninstallation Failure: Windows failed to uninstall the following update with error
            - 213 # Revert Failure: Windows failed to revert the following update with error
            - 217 # Commit Failure: Windows failed to commit the following update with error
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: informational

title: Potential Execution of Sysinternals Tools
id: 7cccd811-7ae9-4ebe-9afd-cb5c406b824b
related:
    - id: 25ffa65d-76d8-4da5-a832-3f2b0136e133
      type: derived
status: test
description: Detects command lines that contain the 'accepteula' flag which could be a sign of execution of one of the Sysinternals tools
references:
    - https://twitter.com/Moti_B/status/1008587936735035392
author: Markus Neis
date: 2017-08-28
modified: 2024-03-13
tags:
    - attack.resource-development
    - attack.t1588.002
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        CommandLine|contains|windash: ' -accepteula'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate use of SysInternals tools
    - Programs that use the same command line flag
level: low

title: PUA - Sysinternal Tool Execution - Registry
id: 25ffa65d-76d8-4da5-a832-3f2b0136e133
status: test
description: Detects the execution of a Sysinternals Tool via the creation of the "accepteula" registry key
references:
    - https://twitter.com/Moti_B/status/1008587936735035392
author: Markus Neis
date: 2017-08-28
modified: 2025-10-26
tags:
    - attack.resource-development
    - attack.t1588.002
logsource:
    product: windows
    category: registry_set
detection:
    selection:
        TargetObject|endswith: '\EulaAccepted'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate use of SysInternals tools
    - Programs that use the same Registry Key
level: low
regression_tests_path: regression_data/rules/windows/registry/registry_set/registry_set_pua_sysinternals_execution_via_eula/info.yml