Database SQL keyword matching suspicious queries (DROP/TRUNCATE/DUMP/SELECT *)

Alerts on SQL queries containing DROP, TRUNCATE, DUMP, or SELECT * indicative of potentially malicious database activity.

FreeReviewedSigma · Medium · v5

Category: database
Author: @juju4 (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published: 2022-12-27
Updated: 2026-07-31

Analysis Detection

ATT&CK techniques

Initial Access → Persistence

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
- T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application
Execution
Persistence
- T1505.001SQL Stored Procedures
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule flags database activity containing common SQL keywords that may indicate recon, data extraction, or destructive actions, such as DROP, TRUNCATE, DUMP, or SELECT with wildcard fields. Attackers often use these statements to enumerate data, extract content, or disrupt availability. The detection relies on telemetry that records executed SQL query text and matches the presence of the specified keywords.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1190 — drag to rearrange

Cleo Autorun Exploitation via Healthcheck File Drop

Suspicious SharePoint Worker Process Spawning Command Interpreter via ToolShell

Malicious IIS Worker Process Spawning Command Shell Reconnaissance

Potential StyleSmuggler (CVE-2026-75650) Exploitation Attempt - Magento GraphQL Styles Parameter (via webserver)

Cisco IOS XE Configuration Change by Web UI WSMA User

Possible React2Shell CVE-2025-55182 Prototype Pollution Exploitation

Possible Next.js Middleware Auth Bypass via X-Middleware-Subrequest Header (CVE-2025-29927)

Possible Ivanti Pulse Connect Secure Command Injection via License Keys-Status Endpoint (via webserver)

Possible Ivanti Pulse Connect Secure Auth Bypass via TOTP Backup Code Path Traversal (via webserver)

Database SQL keyword matching suspicious queries (DROP/TRUNCATE/DUMP/SELECT *)

Pivot detection · T1190 · 9 related

Changelog

v5
Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
v4
Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
v3
Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
v2
Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
v1
No changelog recorded for this version.2026-07-30

Detection content is published as a reviewed draft. Tune thresholds and exclusions against your own telemetry before enabling this rule for alerting.

suspicious-sql-keyword-matching-drop-truncate-dump-select-d84c0ded

title: Database SQL keyword matching suspicious queries (DROP/TRUNCATE/DUMP/SELECT *)
id: 389a734e-3ea0-433f-a20a-47e030b63e56
status: test
description: This rule flags database activity containing common SQL keywords that may indicate recon, data extraction, or destructive actions, such as DROP, TRUNCATE, DUMP, or SELECT with wildcard fields. Attackers often use these statements to enumerate data, extract content, or disrupt availability. The detection relies on telemetry that records executed SQL query text and matches the presence of the specified keywords.
author: "@juju4, Huntrule Team"
date: 2022-12-27
references:
  - https://github.com/sqlmapproject/sqlmap
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/category/database/db_anomalous_query.yml
tags:
  - attack.exfiltration
  - attack.initial-access
  - attack.privilege-escalation
  - attack.persistence
  - attack.t1190
  - attack.t1505.001
logsource:
  category: database
  definition: "Requirements: Must be able to log the SQL queries"
detection:
  keywords:
    - drop
    - truncate
    - dump
    - select \*
  condition: keywords
falsepositives:
  - Inventory and monitoring activity
  - Vulnerability scanners
  - Legitimate applications
level: medium
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: d84c0ded-edd7-4123-80ed-348bb3ccc4d5
    type: derived

Convert

This rule as a query you can run. Uses no unlock credit.

SplunkSPL