Suspicious Command Shell Spawned by MSSQL Server Process Indicating Webshell

ATT&CK techniques

Initial Access → Persistence

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
- T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application
Execution
Persistence
- T1505.003Web Shell
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 a command shell or scripting interpreter, a pattern seen when the PassiveNeuron actors deployed an ASPX webshell and executed commands through MSSQL. A database engine spawning cmd or PowerShell is highly abnormal and typically means the server has been compromised for remote command execution and initial foothold.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1190 — drag to rearrange

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Suspicious Command Shell Spawned by MSSQL Server Process Indicating Webshell

Pivot detection · T1190 · 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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