Malicious SQL Server Command Shell Spawn via sqlservr Child Process (via process_creation)

ATT&CK techniques

Persistence

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
- T1505.001SQL Stored Procedures
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects the SQL Server engine process sqlservr.exe spawning a command shell or scripting interpreter. Threat actors enabled xp_cmdshell on a compromised SQL Server to run OS commands as a foothold before pivoting to the cloud environment.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1505.001 — drag to rearrange

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Malicious SQL Server Command Shell Spawn via sqlservr Child Process (via process_creation)

Pivot detection · T1505.001 · 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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