Windows Amazon SSM Agent Process Creation with Registration and Code Parameters

title: Windows Amazon SSM Agent Process Creation with Registration and Code Parameters
id: d1e1e903-32de-4f9c-bb4e-9e727498d081
status: test
description: This rule flags process executions where the Windows binary amazon-ssm-agent.exe is launched with command-line arguments consistent with agent registration and code/id/region provisioning. Attackers may leverage this to establish remote access by hijacking the SSM agent workflow, making this behavior important for early detection and triage. It relies on Windows process creation telemetry, specifically the executable path and the presence of required command-line parameters.
references:
  - https://www.mitiga.io/blog/mitiga-security-advisory-abusing-the-ssm-agent-as-a-remote-access-trojan
  - https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/amazons-aws-ssm-agent-can-be-used-as-post-exploitation-rat-malware/
  - https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2023/08/02/aws-instances-attackers-access/
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_ssm_agent_abuse.yml
author: Muhammad Faisal, Huntrule Team
date: 2023-08-02
tags:
  - attack.command-and-control
  - attack.persistence
  - attack.t1219.002
logsource:
  category: process_creation
  product: windows
detection:
  selection:
    Image|endswith: \amazon-ssm-agent.exe
    CommandLine|contains|all:
      - "-register "
      - "-code "
      - "-id "
      - "-region "
  condition: selection
falsepositives:
  - Legitimate activity of system administrators
level: medium
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: d20ee2f4-822c-4827-9e15-41500b1fff10
    type: derived