Attempt to Install Kali Linux via WSL

Detects attempts to install or use Kali Linux via Windows Subsystem for Linux. Adversaries may enable and use WSL for Linux to avoid detection.

Rule type: eql

Rule indices:

winlogbeat-*
logs-endpoint.events.*
logs-windows.*
endgame-*

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://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/wsl-config

Tags:

Elastic
Host
Windows
Threat Detection
Defense Evasion
Elastic Endgame

Version: 1

Rule authors:

Elastic

Rule license: Elastic License v2

Rule query

edit

process where event.type == "start" and
(
 (process.name : "wsl.exe" and process.args : ("-d", "--distribution", "-i", "--install") and process.args : "kali*") or
 process.executable :
        ("?:\\Users\\*\\AppData\\Local\\packages\\kalilinux*",
         "?:\\Users\\*\\AppDara\\Local\\Microsoft\\WindowsApps\\kali.exe",
         "?:\\Program Files*\\WindowsApps\\KaliLinux.*\\kali.exe")
 )

Framework: MITRE ATT&CK^TM

Tactic:
- Name: Defense Evasion
- ID: TA0005
- Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0005/
Technique:
- Name: Indirect Command Execution
- ID: T1202
- Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1202/

« Host Files System Changes via Windows Subsystem for Linux Windows Subsystem for Linux Distribution Installed »