Suspicious Command Shell Spawned by MSSQL Server Process

ATT&CK techniques

Execution

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
- 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 service process spawning a command shell or PowerShell, the behavioral signature of xp_cmdshell abuse observed in intrusions against Foundation accounting software. Attackers brute forced exposed database accounts and enabled xp_cmdshell to run operating system commands. Command execution from the database engine indicates hands-on-keyboard post-exploitation.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1059.003 — drag to rearrange

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Suspicious Command Shell Spawned by MSSQL Server Process

Pivot detection · T1059.003 · 9 related

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