Windows MsiExec HideWindow Rundll32 Execution
Description
The following analytic identifies a msiexec.exe process with hidewindow rundll32 process commandline. One such tactic involves utilizing system processes like "msiexec," "hidewindow," and "rundll32" through command-line execution. By leveraging these legitimate processes, QakBot masks its malicious operations, hiding behind seemingly normal system activities. This clandestine approach allows the trojan to carry out unauthorized tasks discreetly, such as downloading additional payloads, executing malicious code, or establishing communication with remote servers. This obfuscation through trusted system processes enables QakBot to operate stealthily, evading detection by security mechanisms and perpetuating its harmful actions without raising suspicion.
- Type: TTP
- Product: Splunk Enterprise, Splunk Enterprise Security, Splunk Cloud
- Datamodel: Endpoint
- Last Updated: 2024-01-03
- Author: Teoderick Contreras, Splunk
- ID: 9683271d-92e4-43b5-a907-1983bfb9f7fd
Annotations
ATT&CK
Kill Chain Phase
- Exploitation
NIST
- DE.CM
CIS20
- CIS 10
CVE
Search
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| tstats `security_content_summariesonly` count min(_time) as firstTime max(_time) as lastTime from datamodel=Endpoint.Processes where Processes.parent_process_name = msiexec.exe Processes.process = "* /HideWindow *" Processes.process = "* rundll32*" by Processes.dest Processes.user Processes.parent_process_name Processes.parent_process Processes.process_name Processes.process Processes.process_id Processes.parent_process_id
| `drop_dm_object_name(Processes)`
| `security_content_ctime(firstTime)`
| `security_content_ctime(lastTime)`
| `windows_msiexec_hidewindow_rundll32_execution_filter`
Macros
The SPL above uses the following Macros:
windows_msiexec_hidewindow_rundll32_execution_filter is a empty macro by default. It allows the user to filter out any results (false positives) without editing the SPL.
Required fields
List of fields required to use this analytic.
- _time
- Processes.dest
- Processes.user
- Processes.parent_process_name
- Processes.parent_process
- Processes.original_file_name
- Processes.process_name
- Processes.process
- Processes.process_id
- Processes.parent_process_path
- Processes.process_path
- Processes.parent_process_id
- Processes.process_guid
How To Implement
The detection is based on data that originates from Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) agents. These agents are designed to provide security-related telemetry from the endpoints where the agent is installed. To implement this search, you must ingest logs that contain the process GUID, process name, and parent process. Additionally, you must ingest complete command-line executions. These logs must be processed using the appropriate Splunk Technology Add-ons that are specific to the EDR product. The logs must also be mapped to the Processes
node of the Endpoint
data model. Use the Splunk Common Information Model (CIM) to normalize the field names and speed up the data modeling process.
Known False Positives
Other possible 3rd party msi software installers use this technique as part of its installation process.
Associated Analytic Story
RBA
Risk Score | Impact | Confidence | Message |
---|---|---|---|
49.0 | 70 | 70 | a msiexec parent process with /hidewindow rundll32 process commandline in $dest$ |
The Risk Score is calculated by the following formula: Risk Score = (Impact * Confidence/100). Initial Confidence and Impact is set by the analytic author.
Reference
- https://twitter.com/Max_Mal_/status/1736392741758611607
- https://twitter.com/1ZRR4H/status/1735944522075386332
Test Dataset
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 | version: 1