Malicious SQL Server Xp_cmdshell Activation - Native Event (via application)
- Product
- mssql
- Category
- application
- Author
- HuntRule
- Published
- 2026-06-03
- Updated
- 2026-08-28
ATT&CK techniques
PersistenceRecon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact
What it detects
This rule detects enable the xp_cmdshell in order to execute non SQL content and escalate privileges.
Reporting behind it
- attack.mitre.orghttps://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1505/
- thedfirreport.comhttps://thedfirreport.com/2022/07/11/select-xmrig-from-sqlserver/
- asec.ahnlab.comhttps://asec.ahnlab.com/en/52479/
- microsoft.comhttps://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2023/10/03/defending-new-vectors-threat-actors-attempt-sql-server-to-cloud-lateral-movement/
- github.comhttps://github.com/Azure/Azure-Sentinel/blob/master/Solutions/Azure%20SQL%20Database%20solution%20for%20sentinel/Hunting%20Queries/HuntingQuery-SuspiciousStoredProcedures.yaml
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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