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.
- Product
- windows
- Category
- process_creation
- Author
- Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems) (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
- Published
- 2023-05-22
- Updated
- 2026-07-30
ATT&CK techniques
Defense EvasionRecon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact
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.
Reporting behind it
- learn.microsoft.comhttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/odbc/odbcconf-exe?view=sql-server-ver16
- lolbas-project.github.iohttps://lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/Binaries/Odbcconf/
- trendmicro.comhttps://www.trendmicro.com/en_us/research/17/h/backdoor-carrying-emails-set-sights-on-russian-speaking-businesses.html
- github.comhttps://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_odbcconf_response_file_susp.yml
Detection content is published as a reviewed draft. Tune thresholds and exclusions against your own telemetry before enabling this rule for alerting.
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