Malicious PowerShell or Command Shell Spawned by SQL Server via xp_cmdshell

ATT&CK techniques

Execution

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
- T1059.001PowerShell
- T1059.003Windows Command Shell
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects the SQL Server process sqlservr.exe spawning PowerShell or cmd.exe, behavior produced when the GhostRedirector group abuses the xp_cmdshell stored procedure to run operating system commands. A database engine launching a shell indicates SQL-based remote code execution used for downloading tooling and establishing footholds on Windows servers.

Reporting behind it

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Malicious PowerShell or 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.

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