huntrule

Windows Process: sqlcmd.exe Querying Veeam Backup Databases

Flags sqlcmd.exe command lines querying Veeam backup database objects associated with repository and credential data.

FreeReviewedSigma · Medium · v1
Product
windows
Category
process_creation
Author
Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems) (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2023-05-04
Updated
2026-07-30
AnalysisDetection

ATT&CK techniques

Collection

  1. Recon

  2. Resource Dev

  3. Initial Access

  4. Execution

  5. Persistence

  6. Priv Esc

  7. Defense Evasion

  8. Cred Access

  9. Discovery

  10. Lateral Movement

  11. Collection

  12. C2

  13. Exfiltration

  14. Impact

What it detects

This rule identifies Windows process executions of sqlcmd.exe that issue SQL queries against Veeam backup database objects. Attackers may use direct database querying to collect sensitive configuration or credential-related information from exposed backup repositories. The detection relies on process creation telemetry, matching sqlcmd.exe execution paths and command-line arguments containing Veeam database context markers.

Reporting behind it

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Windows Process: sqlcmd.exe Querying Veeam Backup Databases
Pivot detection · T1005 · 9 related

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