Windows HackTool Execution: Bloodhound/SharpHound Command-Line Parameter Matching

Alerts on SharpHound/Bloodhound-like processes launching with discovery-focused command-line parameters.

FreeUnreviewedSigmahighv1

windows-hacktool-execution-bloodhound-sharphound-command-line-parameter-matching-f376c8a7

title: "Windows HackTool Execution: Bloodhound/SharpHound Command-Line Parameter Matching"
id: eb151aa5-905b-4298-b512-e4a9c15c4873
status: test
description: This rule flags Windows process creation events where the executable name metadata and command-line parameters resemble Bloodhound/SharpHound usage. Attackers commonly use these tools to collect Active Directory discovery data at scale, often with specific collection methods, looping, and output options. The detection relies on telemetry from process creation, matching against process image paths, and identifying characteristic strings in the command line.
references:
  - https://github.com/BloodHoundAD/BloodHound
  - https://github.com/BloodHoundAD/SharpHound
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_hktl_bloodhound_sharphound.yml
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems), Huntrule Team
date: 2019-12-20
modified: 2023-02-04
tags:
  - attack.discovery
  - attack.t1087.001
  - attack.t1087.002
  - attack.t1482
  - attack.t1069.001
  - attack.t1069.002
  - attack.execution
  - attack.t1059.001
logsource:
  category: process_creation
  product: windows
detection:
  selection_img:
    - Product|contains: SharpHound
    - Description|contains: SharpHound
    - Company|contains:
        - SpecterOps
        - evil corp
    - Image|contains:
        - \Bloodhound.exe
        - \SharpHound.exe
  selection_cli_1:
    CommandLine|contains:
      - " -CollectionMethod All "
      - " --CollectionMethods Session "
      - " --Loop --Loopduration "
      - " --PortScanTimeout "
      - ".exe -c All -d "
      - Invoke-Bloodhound
      - Get-BloodHoundData
  selection_cli_2:
    CommandLine|contains|all:
      - " -JsonFolder "
      - " -ZipFileName "
  selection_cli_3:
    CommandLine|contains|all:
      - " DCOnly "
      - " --NoSaveCache "
  condition: 1 of selection_*
falsepositives:
  - Other programs that use these command line option and accepts an 'All' parameter
level: high
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: f376c8a7-a2d0-4ddc-aa0c-16c17236d962
    type: derived

What it detects

This rule flags Windows process creation events where the executable name metadata and command-line parameters resemble Bloodhound/SharpHound usage. Attackers commonly use these tools to collect Active Directory discovery data at scale, often with specific collection methods, looping, and output options. The detection relies on telemetry from process creation, matching against process image paths, and identifying characteristic strings in the command line.

Known false positives

Other programs that use these command line option and accepts an 'All' parameter

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