Windows Process Creation: Suspicious CLI NetworkProvider Addition for Credential Dumping

Alerts on Windows CLI executions that reference services\... and NetworkProvider, a pattern consistent with credential dumping via provider changes.

FreeUnreviewedSigmahighv1

windows-process-creation-suspicious-cli-networkprovider-addition-for-credential--baef1ec6

title: "Windows Process Creation: Suspicious CLI NetworkProvider Addition for Credential Dumping"
id: ad3f03fd-8dab-4b88-bd06-8721415d0380
related:
  - id: 0442defa-b4a2-41c9-ae2c-ea7042fc4701
    type: similar
  - id: baef1ec6-2ca9-47a3-97cc-4cf2bda10b77
    type: derived
status: test
description: This rule flags Windows process creation events whose command line contains both the service registry path and the string for NetworkProvider, indicating an attempt to add a new network provider via CLI. Attackers may use network provider changes to capture or expose credentials in clear text, aligning with credential-access objectives. It relies on process creation telemetry, specifically the command line content associated with the spawned process.
references:
  - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-client/setup-upgrade-and-drivers/network-provider-settings-removed-in-place-upgrade
  - https://github.com/gtworek/PSBits/tree/master/PasswordStealing/NPPSpy
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_registry_new_network_provider.yml
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), Huntrule Team
date: 2022-08-23
modified: 2023-02-02
tags:
  - attack.credential-access
  - attack.t1003
logsource:
  category: process_creation
  product: windows
detection:
  selection:
    CommandLine|contains|all:
      - \System\CurrentControlSet\Services\
      - \NetworkProvider
  condition: selection
falsepositives:
  - Other legitimate network providers used and not filtred in this rule
level: high
license: DRL-1.1

What it detects

This rule flags Windows process creation events whose command line contains both the service registry path and the string for NetworkProvider, indicating an attempt to add a new network provider via CLI. Attackers may use network provider changes to capture or expose credentials in clear text, aligning with credential-access objectives. It relies on process creation telemetry, specifically the command line content associated with the spawned process.

Known false positives

Other legitimate network providers used and not filtred in this rule

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