Windows nltest.exe Execution for Network Information Discovery

Flags execution of nltest.exe (including nltestrk.exe via OriginalFileName) used for network and domain information discovery.

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windows-nltest-exe-execution-for-network-information-discovery-903076ff

title: Windows nltest.exe Execution for Network Information Discovery
id: 89406863-8cf5-422f-bdad-172c404c37f1
related:
  - id: 5cc90652-4cbd-4241-aa3b-4b462fa5a248
    type: similar
  - id: eeb66bbb-3dde-4582-815a-584aee9fe6d1
    type: obsolete
  - id: 903076ff-f442-475a-b667-4f246bcc203b
    type: derived
status: test
description: This rule identifies process creation events where nltest.exe is executed, including the specific Image ending with '\nltest.exe' and the OriginalFileName value 'nltestrk.exe'. Attackers commonly use nltest functionality to enumerate domain and network-related information during discovery. The detection relies on Windows process creation telemetry that includes the executable path/name and the OriginalFileName field.
references:
  - https://jpcertcc.github.io/ToolAnalysisResultSheet/details/nltest.htm
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_nltest_execution.yml
author: Arun Chauhan, Huntrule Team
date: 2023-02-03
tags:
  - attack.discovery
  - attack.t1016
  - attack.t1018
  - attack.t1482
logsource:
  category: process_creation
  product: windows
detection:
  selection:
    - Image|endswith: \nltest.exe
    - OriginalFileName: nltestrk.exe
  condition: selection
falsepositives:
  - Legitimate administration activity
level: low
license: DRL-1.1

What it detects

This rule identifies process creation events where nltest.exe is executed, including the specific Image ending with '\nltest.exe' and the OriginalFileName value 'nltestrk.exe'. Attackers commonly use nltest functionality to enumerate domain and network-related information during discovery. The detection relies on Windows process creation telemetry that includes the executable path/name and the OriginalFileName field.

Known false positives

Legitimate administration activity

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