Windows PowerShell Set-Service SDDL Usage to Hide Services

title: Windows PowerShell Set-Service SDDL Usage to Hide Services
id: 36e250f3-cd25-4d98-b686-cb76a7e5334b
related:
  - id: a537cfc3-4297-4789-92b5-345bfd845ad0
    type: derived
  - id: 953945c5-22fe-4a92-9f8a-a9edc1e522da
    type: similar
  - id: 514e4c3a-c77d-4cde-a00f-046425e2301e
    type: derived
status: test
description: This rule identifies PowerShell (pwsh.exe) process executions that invoke Set-Service with a SecurityDescriptorSddl containing DCLCWPDTSD. Attackers can use service security descriptor changes to hide services from common utilities such as sc.exe and Get-Service, supporting persistence and stealth. The detection relies on Windows process creation telemetry, matching the command line for the Set-Service invocation and specific SDDL components.
references:
  - https://twitter.com/Alh4zr3d/status/1580925761996828672
  - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.management/set-service?view=powershell-7.2
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_powershell_hide_services_via_set_service.yml
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), Huntrule Team
date: 2022-10-17
tags:
  - attack.persistence
  - attack.privilege-escalation
  - attack.execution
  - attack.stealth
  - attack.t1574.011
logsource:
  category: process_creation
  product: windows
detection:
  selection_img:
    - Image|endswith: \pwsh.exe
    - OriginalFileName: pwsh.dll
  selection_sddl:
    CommandLine|contains|all:
      - "Set-Service "
      - DCLCWPDTSD
  selection_cmdlet:
    CommandLine|contains:
      - "-SecurityDescriptorSddl "
      - "-sd "
  condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
  - Rare intended use of hidden services
level: high
license: DRL-1.1