Detection: Detect SharpHound Command-Line Arguments

Description

The following analytic detects the execution of SharpHound command-line arguments, specifically -collectionMethod and invoke-bloodhound. It leverages data from Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) agents, focusing on process names and command-line executions. This activity is significant as SharpHound is commonly used for Active Directory enumeration, which can be a precursor to lateral movement or privilege escalation. If confirmed malicious, this activity could allow an attacker to map out the network, identify high-value targets, and plan further attacks, potentially compromising sensitive information and critical systems.

1
2| tstats `security_content_summariesonly` count min(_time) as firstTime max(_time) as lastTime from datamodel=Endpoint.Processes where Processes.process IN ("*-collectionMethod*","*invoke-bloodhound*") by Processes.dest Processes.user Processes.parent_process Processes.process_name Processes.process Processes.process_id Processes.parent_process_id 
3| `drop_dm_object_name(Processes)` 
4| `security_content_ctime(firstTime)` 
5| `security_content_ctime(lastTime)` 
6| `detect_sharphound_command_line_arguments_filter`

Data Source

Name Platform Sourcetype Source Supported App
CrowdStrike ProcessRollup2 N/A 'crowdstrike:events:sensor' 'crowdstrike' N/A

Macros Used

Name Value
security_content_ctime convert timeformat="%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%S" ctime($field$)
detect_sharphound_command_line_arguments_filter search *
detect_sharphound_command_line_arguments_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
T1087.002 Domain Account Discovery
T1069.001 Local Groups Discovery
T1482 Domain Trust Discovery Discovery
T1087.001 Local Account Discovery
T1087 Account Discovery Discovery
T1069.002 Domain Groups Discovery
T1069 Permission Groups Discovery Discovery
KillChainPhase.EXPLOITAITON
NistCategory.DE_CM
Cis18Value.CIS_10
APT41
BRONZE BUTLER
Chimera
Dragonfly
FIN13
FIN6
Fox Kitten
Ke3chang
LAPSUS$
MuddyWater
OilRig
Poseidon Group
Sandworm Team
Scattered Spider
ToddyCat
Turla
Volt Typhoon
Wizard Spider
menuPass
Chimera
HEXANE
OilRig
Tonto Team
Turla
Volt Typhoon
admin@338
Akira
Chimera
Earth Lusca
FIN8
Magic Hound
APT1
APT3
APT32
APT41
Chimera
Fox Kitten
Ke3chang
Moses Staff
OilRig
Poseidon Group
Threat Group-3390
Turla
admin@338
FIN13
Dragonfly
FIN7
Inception
Ke3chang
LAPSUS$
OilRig
ToddyCat
Turla
Volt Typhoon
APT3
APT41
FIN13
TA505

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 Notable Yes
Rule Title %name%
Rule Description %description%
Notable Event Fields user, dest
Creates Risk Event True
This configuration file applies to all detections of type TTP. These detections will use Risk Based Alerting and generate Notable Events.

Implementation

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

False positives should be limited as the arguments used are specific to SharpHound. Filter as needed or add more command-line arguments as needed.

Associated Analytic Story

Risk Based Analytics (RBA)

Risk Message Risk Score Impact Confidence
Possible SharpHound command-Line arguments identified on $dest$ 24 30 80
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-Sysmon/Operational xmlwineventlog
Integration ✅ Passing Dataset XmlWinEventLog:Microsoft-Windows-Sysmon/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