Windows Service Installed via an Unusual Client
editWindows Service Installed via an Unusual Client
editIdentifies the creation of a Windows service by an unusual client process. Services may be created with administrator privileges but are executed under SYSTEM privileges, so an adversary may also use a service to escalate privileges from administrator to SYSTEM.
Rule type: eql
Rule indices:
- winlogbeat-*
- logs-system.*
- logs-windows.*
Severity: high
Risk score: 73
Runs every: 5m
Searches indices from: now-9m (Date Math format, see also Additional look-back time)
Maximum alerts per execution: 100
References:
- https://www.x86matthew.com/view_post?id=create_svc_rpc
- https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/auditing/event-4697
- https://github.com/atc-project/atomic-threat-coverage/blob/master/Atomic_Threat_Coverage/Logging_Policies/LP_0100_windows_audit_security_system_extension.md
- https://www.elastic.co/security-labs/siestagraph-new-implant-uncovered-in-asean-member-foreign-ministry
Tags:
- Domain: Endpoint
- OS: Windows
- Use Case: Threat Detection
- Tactic: Privilege Escalation
- Data Source: System
Version: 211
Rule authors:
- Elastic
Rule license: Elastic License v2
Setup
editSetup
The Audit Security System Extension logging policy must be configured for (Success) Steps to implement the logging policy with Advanced Audit Configuration:
Computer Configuration > Policies > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Advanced Audit Policies Configuration > Audit Policies > System > Audit Security System Extension (Success)
Rule query
editconfiguration where host.os.type == "windows" and
event.action == "service-installed" and
(winlog.event_data.ClientProcessId == "0" or winlog.event_data.ParentProcessId == "0") and
not winlog.event_data.ServiceFileName : (
"?:\\Windows\\VeeamVssSupport\\VeeamGuestHelper.exe",
"?:\\Windows\\VeeamLogShipper\\VeeamLogShipper.exe",
"%SystemRoot%\\system32\\Drivers\\Crowdstrike\\*-CsInstallerService.exe",
"\"%windir%\\AdminArsenal\\PDQInventory-Scanner\\service-1\\PDQInventory-Scanner-1.exe\" "
)
Framework: MITRE ATT&CKTM
-
Tactic:
- Name: Privilege Escalation
- ID: TA0004
- Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0004/
-
Technique:
- Name: Create or Modify System Process
- ID: T1543
- Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1543/
-
Sub-technique:
- Name: Windows Service
- ID: T1543.003
- Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1543/003/