Suspicious ESXi VM Kill Through ESXCLI (via process_creation)

title: Suspicious ESXi VM Kill Through ESXCLI (via process_creation)
id: a0e8184c-ebbb-52a4-aef2-0810123efd70
status: stable
description: This rule detects execution of the "esxcli" command with the "vm" and "kill" flag to kill/shutdown a specific VM.
references:
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1529/
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1059/012/
    - https://www.crowdstrike.com/blog/hypervisor-jackpotting-ecrime-actors-increase-targeting-of-esxi-servers/
    - https://developer.broadcom.com/xapis/esxcli-command-reference/7.0.0/namespace/esxcli_vm.html
    - https://www.secuinfra.com/en/techtalk/hide-your-hypervisor-analysis-of-esxiargs-ransomware/
    - https://www.trendmicro.com/en_us/research/22/e/new-linux-based-ransomware-cheerscrypt-targets-exsi-devices.html
author: Huntrule Team
date: 2026-03-01
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.impact
    - attack.t1059.012
    - attack.t1529
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: linux
detection:
    selection:
        Image|endswith: '/esxcli'
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - 'vm process'
            - 'kill'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium