Unusual Process For MSSQL Service Accounts

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Identifies unusual process executions using MSSQL Service accounts, which can indicate the exploitation/compromise of SQL instances. Attackers may exploit exposed MSSQL instances for initial access or lateral movement.

Rule type: eql

Rule indices:

  • logs-endpoint.events.*

Severity: low

Risk score: 21

Runs every: 5m

Searches indices from: now-9m (Date Math format, see also Additional look-back time)

Maximum alerts per execution: 100

References:

Tags:

  • Domain: Endpoint
  • OS: Windows
  • Use Case: Threat Detection
  • Tactic: Lateral Movement
  • Tactic: Persistence
  • Data Source: Elastic Defend
  • Rule Type: BBR

Version: 2

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
  user.name : (
    "SQLSERVERAGENT", "SQLAGENT$*",
    "MSSQLSERVER", "MSSQL$*",
    "MSSQLServerOLAPService",
    "ReportServer*", "MsDtsServer150",
    "MSSQLFDLauncher*",
    "SQLServer2005SQLBrowserUser$*",
    "SQLWriter", "winmgmt"
  ) and user.domain : "NT SERVICE" and
  not (
    process.name : (
        "sqlceip.exe", "sqlservr.exe", "sqlagent.exe",
        "msmdsrv.exe", "ReportingServicesService.exe",
        "MsDtsSrvr.exe", "sqlbrowser.exe"
    ) and (process.code_signature.subject_name : "Microsoft Corporation" and process.code_signature.trusted == true)
  )

Framework: MITRE ATT&CKTM