Detection: PowerShell Enable PowerShell Remoting

Description

The following analytic detects the use of the Enable-PSRemoting cmdlet, which allows PowerShell remoting on a local or remote computer. This detection leverages PowerShell Script Block Logging (EventCode 4104) to identify when this cmdlet is executed. Monitoring this activity is crucial as it can indicate an attacker enabling remote command execution capabilities on a compromised system. If confirmed malicious, this activity could allow an attacker to take control of the system remotely, execute commands, and potentially pivot to other systems within the network, leading to further compromise and lateral movement.

1`powershell` EventCode=4104 ScriptBlockText="*Enable-PSRemoting*" 
2| stats count min(_time) as firstTime max(_time) as lastTime by Computer EventCode ScriptBlockText 
3| `security_content_ctime(firstTime)` 
4| `security_content_ctime(lastTime)`
5| `powershell_enable_powershell_remoting_filter`

Data Source

Name Platform Sourcetype Source
Powershell Script Block Logging 4104 Windows icon Windows 'xmlwineventlog' 'XmlWinEventLog:Microsoft-Windows-PowerShell/Operational'

Macros Used

Name Value
powershell (source=WinEventLog:Microsoft-Windows-PowerShell/Operational OR source="XmlWinEventLog:Microsoft-Windows-PowerShell/Operational")
powershell_enable_powershell_remoting_filter search *
powershell_enable_powershell_remoting_filter is an empty macro by default. It allows the user to filter out any results (false positives) without editing the SPL.

Annotations

- MITRE ATT&CK
+ Kill Chain Phases
+ NIST
+ CIS
- Threat Actors
ID Technique Tactic
T1059.001 PowerShell Execution
T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter Execution
KillChainPhase.INSTALLATION
NistCategory.DE_AE
Cis18Value.CIS_10
APT19
APT28
APT29
APT3
APT32
APT33
APT38
APT39
APT41
APT5
Aquatic Panda
BRONZE BUTLER
Blue Mockingbird
CURIUM
Chimera
Cinnamon Tempest
Cobalt Group
Confucius
CopyKittens
Daggerfly
DarkHydrus
DarkVishnya
Deep Panda
Dragonfly
Earth Lusca
Ember Bear
FIN10
FIN13
FIN6
FIN7
FIN8
Fox Kitten
GALLIUM
GOLD SOUTHFIELD
Gallmaker
Gamaredon Group
Gorgon Group
HAFNIUM
HEXANE
Inception
Indrik Spider
Kimsuky
Lazarus Group
LazyScripter
Leviathan
Magic Hound
Molerats
MoustachedBouncer
MuddyWater
Mustang Panda
Nomadic Octopus
OilRig
Patchwork
Play
Poseidon Group
RedCurl
Saint Bear
Sandworm Team
Sidewinder
Silence
Stealth Falcon
TA2541
TA459
TA505
TeamTNT
Threat Group-3390
Thrip
ToddyCat
Tonto Team
Turla
Volt Typhoon
WIRTE
Winter Vivern
Wizard Spider
menuPass
APT19
APT32
APT37
APT39
Dragonfly
FIN5
FIN6
FIN7
Fox Kitten
Ke3chang
OilRig
Saint Bear
Stealth Falcon
Whitefly
Windigo
Winter Vivern

Default Configuration

This detection is configured by default in Splunk Enterprise Security to run with the following settings:

Setting Value
Disabled true
Cron Schedule 0 * * * *
Earliest Time -70m@m
Latest Time -10m@m
Schedule Window auto
Creates Risk Event True
This configuration file applies to all detections of type anomaly. These detections will use Risk Based Alerting.

Implementation

To successfully implement this analytic, you will need to enable PowerShell Script Block Logging on some or all endpoints. Additional setup here https://docs.splunk.com/Documentation/UBA/5.0.4.1/GetDataIn/AddPowerShell#Configure_module_logging_for_PowerShell.

Known False Positives

Note that false positives may occur due to the use of the Enable-PSRemoting cmdlet by legitimate users, such as system administrators. It is recommended to apply appropriate filters as needed to minimize the number of false positives.

Associated Analytic Story

Risk Based Analytics (RBA)

Risk Message Risk Score Impact Confidence
PowerShell was identified running a Invoke-PSremoting on $Computer$. 25 50 50
The Risk Score is calculated by the following formula: Risk Score = (Impact * Confidence/100). Initial Confidence and Impact is set by the analytic author.

References

Detection Testing

Test Type Status Dataset Source Sourcetype
Validation Passing N/A N/A N/A
Unit Passing Dataset XmlWinEventLog:Microsoft-Windows-PowerShell/Operational XmlWinEventLog
Integration ✅ Passing Dataset XmlWinEventLog:Microsoft-Windows-PowerShell/Operational XmlWinEventLog

Replay any dataset to Splunk Enterprise by using our replay.py tool or the UI. Alternatively you can replay a dataset into a Splunk Attack Range


Source: GitHub | Version: 3