File and Directory Permissions Modification

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Identifies the change of permissions/ownership of files/folders through built-in Windows utilities. Threat actors may require permission modification of files/folders to change, modify or delete them.

Rule type: eql

Rule indices:

  • logs-endpoint.events.*

Severity: low

Risk score: 21

Runs every: 60m

Searches indices from: now-119m (Date Math format, see also Additional look-back time)

Maximum alerts per execution: 100

References: None

Tags:

  • Domain: Endpoint
  • OS: Windows
  • Use Case: Threat Detection
  • Tactic: Defense Evasion
  • Rule Type: BBR
  • Data Source: Elastic Defend

Version: 1

Rule authors:

  • Elastic

Rule license: Elastic License v2

Rule query

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process where event.type == "start" and host.os.type == "windows" and
(
  ((process.name: "icacls.exe" or process.pe.original_file_name == "iCACLS.EXE") and process.args: ("*:F", "/reset", "/setowner", "*grant*")) or
  ((process.name: "cacls.exe" or process.pe.original_file_name == "CACLS.EXE") and process.args: ("/g", "*:f")) or
  ((process.name: "takeown.exe" or process.pe.original_file_name == "takeown.exe") and process.args: ("/F")) or
  ((process.name: "attrib.exe" or process.pe.original_file_name== "ATTRIB.EXE") and process.args: "-r")
) and not user.id : "S-1-5-18"

Framework: MITRE ATT&CKTM