Windows Process Creation: SoftPerfect netscan.exe Network Scanner Execution

ATT&CK techniques

Discovery

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
- T1046Network Service Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule flags process creation events where the executed binary ends with \netscan.exe and the application is described as SoftPerfect Network Scanner. Network scanning tools can help attackers map reachable hosts and services during reconnaissance. The detection relies on Windows process creation telemetry containing the executable path, plus product and description metadata associated with the binary.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1046 — drag to rearrange

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Possible Network Service Scanning via Nmap or Masscan (via process_creation)

Malicious Anonymous Login - Domain Specified (via security)

Suspicious Network Scanning Tool Execution

Malicious RDP Discovery Performed on Multiple Hosts (via rdp)

Malicious Anonymous Access Performed to Multiple Targets (via security)

Malicious Network Login Performed to Multiple Targets (via security)

Suspicious SoftPerfect Network Scanner Execution for Discovery

Suspicious SoftPerfect Network Scanner Execution (via process_creation)

Windows Process Creation: SoftPerfect netscan.exe Network Scanner Execution

Pivot detection · T1046 · 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-creation-softperfect-netscan-exe-network-scanner-execution-ca387a8e

title: "Windows Process Creation: SoftPerfect netscan.exe Network Scanner Execution"
id: 2ded843f-73f0-44af-aab2-fc808c79fe4f
status: test
description: This rule flags process creation events where the executed binary ends with \netscan.exe and the application is described as SoftPerfect Network Scanner. Network scanning tools can help attackers map reachable hosts and services during reconnaissance. The detection relies on Windows process creation telemetry containing the executable path, plus product and description metadata associated with the binary.
references:
  - https://www.protect.airbus.com/blog/uncovering-cyber-intruders-netscan/
  - https://secjoes-reports.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Sockbot%2Bin%2BGoLand.pdf
  - https://www.sentinelone.com/labs/black-basta-ransomware-attacks-deploy-custom-edr-evasion-tools-tied-to-fin7-threat-actor/
  - https://symantec-enterprise-blogs.security.com/blogs/threat-intelligence/yanluowang-ransomware-attacks-continue
  - https://research.nccgroup.com/2022/07/13/climbing-mount-everest-black-byte-bytes-back/
  - https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/microsoft-exchange-servers-hacked-to-deploy-hive-ransomware/
  - https://www.softperfect.com/products/networkscanner/
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_pua_netscan.yml
author: "@d4ns4n_ (Wuerth-Phoenix), Huntrule Team"
date: 2024-04-25
tags:
  - attack.discovery
  - attack.t1046
logsource:
  category: process_creation
  product: windows
detection:
  selection:
    - Image|endswith: \netscan.exe
    - Product: Network Scanner
    - Description: Application for scanning networks
  condition: selection
falsepositives:
  - Legitimate administrator activity
level: medium
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: ca387a8e-1c84-4da3-9993-028b45342d30
    type: derived

Convert

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