Windows Process Execution of Odbcconf.exe with -f Response File Flag

Alerts on Odbcconf.exe being run with -f to load a response file, excluding runonce-driven executions.

FreeUnreviewedSigmahighv1

windows-process-execution-of-odbcconf-exe-with-f-response-file-flag-2d32dd6f

title: Windows Process Execution of Odbcconf.exe with -f Response File Flag
id: f9e6f87a-2ccc-43f5-ba4c-ef32c0d9cd47
related:
  - id: 5f03babb-12db-4eec-8c82-7b4cb5580868
    type: derived
  - id: 65d2be45-8600-4042-b4c0-577a1ff8a60e
    type: obsolete
  - id: 2d32dd6f-3196-4093-b9eb-1ad8ab088ca5
    type: derived
status: test
description: This rule flags suspicious executions of Odbcconf.exe launched with the -f flag, indicating loading a response file used for configuring ODBC components. Attackers may abuse Odbcconf.exe to perform stealthy configuration changes by supplying an alternate response file path or extension, reducing scrutiny compared to normal usage. It relies on Windows process creation telemetry, matching the executable name and command-line parameters, and excluding cases where the tool is invoked via a runonce-related mechanism.
references:
  - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/odbc/odbcconf-exe?view=sql-server-ver16
  - https://lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/Binaries/Odbcconf/
  - https://www.trendmicro.com/en_us/research/17/h/backdoor-carrying-emails-set-sights-on-russian-speaking-businesses.html
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_odbcconf_response_file_susp.yml
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), Huntrule Team
date: 2023-05-22
modified: 2024-03-13
tags:
  - attack.stealth
  - attack.t1218.008
logsource:
  category: process_creation
  product: windows
detection:
  selection_img:
    - Image|endswith: \odbcconf.exe
    - OriginalFileName: odbcconf.exe
  selection_cli:
    CommandLine|contains|windash: " -f "
  filter_main_rsp_ext:
    CommandLine|contains: .rsp
  filter_main_runonce_odbc:
    ParentImage: C:\Windows\System32\runonce.exe
    Image: C:\Windows\System32\odbcconf.exe
    CommandLine|contains: .exe /E /F "C:\WINDOWS\system32\odbcconf.tmp"
  condition: all of selection_* and not 1 of filter_main_*
falsepositives:
  - Unlikely
level: high
license: DRL-1.1

What it detects

This rule flags suspicious executions of Odbcconf.exe launched with the -f flag, indicating loading a response file used for configuring ODBC components. Attackers may abuse Odbcconf.exe to perform stealthy configuration changes by supplying an alternate response file path or extension, reducing scrutiny compared to normal usage. It relies on Windows process creation telemetry, matching the executable name and command-line parameters, and excluding cases where the tool is invoked via a runonce-related mechanism.

Known false positives

Unlikely

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