Windows Process Command Line Network Recon via nslookup LDAP SRV Query

Identifies Windows command lines running nslookup with an LDAP SRV domain controller discovery query string.

FreeReviewedSigma · High · v1

Product: windows
Category: process_creation
Author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems) (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published: 2022-02-07
Updated: 2026-07-30

ATT&CK techniques

Discovery

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
- T1082System Information Discovery
- T1087Account Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule flags Windows process creations where the command line contains both 'nslookup' and the LDAP SRV query string '_ldap._tcp.dc._msdcs.'. Such lookups are commonly used to enumerate directory services and identify domain controller endpoints during reconnaissance. It relies on process creation telemetry with access to the full command line for matching the specific query pattern.

Reporting behind it

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Windows Process Command Line Network Recon via nslookup LDAP SRV Query

Pivot detection · T1082 · 9 related

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

windows-process-command-line-network-recon-via-nslookup-ldap-srv-query-e6313acd

title: Windows Process Command Line Network Recon via nslookup LDAP SRV Query
id: 66a29b29-7bbb-4bb4-a2bb-f4b5a6ef40ee
status: test
description: This rule flags Windows process creations where the command line contains both 'nslookup' and the LDAP SRV query string '_ldap._tcp.dc._msdcs.'. Such lookups are commonly used to enumerate directory services and identify domain controller endpoints during reconnaissance. It relies on process creation telemetry with access to the full command line for matching the specific query pattern.
references:
  - https://thedfirreport.com/2022/02/07/qbot-likes-to-move-it-move-it/
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_nslookup_domain_discovery.yml
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems), Huntrule Team
date: 2022-02-07
tags:
  - attack.discovery
  - attack.t1087
  - attack.t1082
  - car.2016-03-001
logsource:
  category: process_creation
  product: windows
detection:
  selection:
    CommandLine|contains|all:
      - nslookup
      - _ldap._tcp.dc._msdcs.
  condition: selection
falsepositives:
  - False positives depend on scripts and administrative tools used in the monitored environment
level: high
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: e6313acd-208c-44fc-a0ff-db85d572e90e
    type: derived

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