Suspicious Phantom Taurus mssq.bat SQL Execution via WMI (via process_creation)

ATT&CK techniques

Execution

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
- T1047Windows Management Instrumentation
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects execution of the mssq.bat script used by Phantom Taurus to run SQL queries against databases via the privileged sa account, invoked through WMI. The batch file automates data collection and command execution against Microsoft SQL Server. Detecting this named script exposes hands-on-keyboard database targeting by the actor.

Reporting behind it

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Suspicious Phantom Taurus mssq.bat SQL Execution via WMI (via process_creation)

Pivot detection · T1047 · 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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