Windows Pingback backdoor process execution via updata.exe with msdtc config start auto

title: Windows Pingback backdoor process execution via updata.exe with msdtc config start auto
id: b96160e4-c42a-4a76-ba36-7004ef00475d
related:
  - id: 35a7dc42-bc6f-46e0-9f83-81f8e56c8d4b
    type: similar
  - id: 2bd63d53-84d4-4210-80ff-bf0658f1bf78
    type: similar
  - id: b2400ffb-7680-47c0-b08a-098a7de7e7a9
    type: derived
status: test
description: "This rule identifies execution of the Pingback backdoor behavior on Windows by matching process creation where the parent process ends with \\updata.exe and the child command line includes all of: config, msdtc, start, and auto. Attackers use this style of execution to establish persistent and stealthy command-and-control activity, including ICMP tunneling behavior described in the associated references. It relies on Windows process creation telemetry capturing the parent image path and the full command line arguments."
references:
  - https://www.trustwave.com/en-us/resources/blogs/spiderlabs-blog/backdoor-at-the-end-of-the-icmp-tunnel
  - https://app.any.run/tasks/4a54c651-b70b-4b72-84d7-f34d301d6406
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules-emerging-threats/2021/Malware/Pingback/proc_creation_win_malware_pingback_backdoor.yml
author: Bhabesh Raj, Huntrule Team
date: 2021-05-05
modified: 2023-02-17
tags:
  - attack.privilege-escalation
  - attack.persistence
  - attack.execution
  - attack.stealth
  - attack.t1574.001
  - detection.emerging-threats
logsource:
  product: windows
  category: process_creation
detection:
  selection:
    ParentImage|endswith: \updata.exe
    CommandLine|contains|all:
      - config
      - msdtc
      - start
      - auto
  condition: selection
falsepositives:
  - Unlikely
level: high
license: DRL-1.1