Windows: Advanced IP Scanner (PUA) Execution via Process Creation

Identifies Windows processes running Advanced IP Scanner using filename/description and command-line arguments.

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windows-advanced-ip-scanner-pua-execution-via-process-creation-bef37fa2

title: "Windows: Advanced IP Scanner (PUA) Execution via Process Creation"
id: f4be591a-1430-4350-85c4-add73e1ab378
status: test
description: This rule flags execution of Advanced IP Scanner by matching process image/original filename and descriptive strings associated with the tool. Attackers may use it to quickly discover hosts and services on a local network, which can support later access or lateral movement. It relies on Windows process creation telemetry, including the image path/filename, original filename, and command-line parameters.
references:
  - https://news.sophos.com/en-us/2019/12/09/snatch-ransomware-reboots-pcs-into-safe-mode-to-bypass-protection/
  - https://www.fireeye.com/blog/threat-research/2020/05/tactics-techniques-procedures-associated-with-maze-ransomware-incidents.html
  - https://labs.f-secure.com/blog/prelude-to-ransomware-systembc
  - https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/20444693/fbi-pin-egregor-ransomware-bc-01062021.pdf
  - https://thedfirreport.com/2021/01/18/all-that-for-a-coinminer
  - https://github.com/3CORESec/MAL-CL/tree/master/Descriptors/Other/Advanced%20IP%20Scanner
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_pua_advanced_ip_scanner.yml
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), @ROxPinTeddy, Huntrule Team
date: 2020-05-12
modified: 2023-02-07
tags:
  - attack.discovery
  - attack.t1046
  - attack.t1135
logsource:
  category: process_creation
  product: windows
detection:
  selection_img:
    - Image|contains: \advanced_ip_scanner
    - OriginalFileName|contains: advanced_ip_scanner
    - Description|contains: Advanced IP Scanner
  selection_cli:
    CommandLine|contains|all:
      - /portable
      - /lng
  condition: 1 of selection_*
falsepositives:
  - Legitimate administrative use
level: medium
regression_tests_path: regression_data/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_pua_advanced_ip_scanner/info.yml
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: bef37fa2-f205-4a7b-b484-0759bfd5f86f
    type: derived

What it detects

This rule flags execution of Advanced IP Scanner by matching process image/original filename and descriptive strings associated with the tool. Attackers may use it to quickly discover hosts and services on a local network, which can support later access or lateral movement. It relies on Windows process creation telemetry, including the image path/filename, original filename, and command-line parameters.

Known false positives

Legitimate administrative use

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