Malicious Command Shell Spawned by SQL Server via xp_cmdshell

PremiumReviewedSigma · High · v1
Product
windows
Category
process_creation
Author
HuntRule
Published
2026-05-29
Updated
2026-08-28

ATT&CK techniques

Execution → Persistence
  1. Recon

  2. Resource Dev

  3. Initial Access

  4. Priv Esc

  5. Defense Evasion

  6. Cred Access

  7. Discovery

  8. Lateral Movement

  9. Collection

  10. C2

  11. Exfiltration

  12. Impact

What it detects

This rule detects the SQL Server process sqlservr.exe spawning a command shell, indicative of xp_cmdshell abuse. Estate Ransomware operators enabled xp_cmdshell on a Veeam-linked MSSQL instance to run operating system commands. Command execution from the database engine signals exploitation of the SQL layer.

Related detections9 linkedT1059.001 — drag to rearrange
Malicious SQL Server Command Execution Spawning Download Utilities via Process Creation
Suspicious node.exe Execution Spawned by PowerShell
Suspicious PowerShell Spawned by mshta.exe in FakeSG Chain (via process_creation)
Suspicious Encoded PowerShell Using Base64 Stream Decompression Routines (via process_creation)
Malicious IIS Worker Process Spawning Command Shell for Webshell Reconnaissance (via process_creation)
Suspicious PowerShell Spawned by Windows Script Host during Scarlet Goldfinch Infection (via process_creation)
Suspicious PowerShell Launched by MSIX StartingScriptWrapper From WindowsApps via Process Creation (via process_creation)
Malicious Command Shell or PowerShell Spawned by Tomcat via Process Creation (via process_creation)
Suspicious PowerShell Download Cradle via IEX and DownloadString (via process_creation)
Malicious Command Shell Spawned by SQL Server via xp_cmdshell
Pivot detection · T1059.001 · 9 related

Detection content is published as a reviewed draft. Tune thresholds and exclusions against your own telemetry before enabling this rule for alerting.