Suspicious SQL Client Utilities PowerShell Session (via process_creation)

title: Suspicious SQL Client Utilities PowerShell Session (via process_creation)
id: c9f2f441-9a48-50d6-93f0-26bf2508a146
status: stable
description: This rule detects this rule detects execution of a PowerShell code through the sqltoolsps.exe utility, which is included in the standard set of utilities supplied with the Microsoft SQL Server Management studio. Script blocks are not logged in this case, so this utility helps to bypass protection mechanisms based on the analysis of these logs.
references:
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1127/
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1059/001/
    - https://github.com/LOLBAS-Project/LOLBAS/blob/8283d8d91552213ded165fd36deb6cb9534cb443/yml/OtherMSBinaries/Sqltoolsps.yml
    - https://twitter.com/pabraeken/status/993298228840992768
author: 'Huntrule Team'
date: 2026-01-27
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1059.001
    - attack.t1127
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        - Image|endswith: '\sqltoolsps.exe'
        - ParentImage|endswith: '\sqltoolsps.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: '\sqltoolsps.exe'
    filter:
        ParentImage|endswith: '\smss.exe'
    condition: selection and not filter
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium