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

ATT&CK techniques

Collection

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
- T1005Data from Local System
C2
Exfiltration
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

Related detections9 linkedT1005 — drag to rearrange

Malicious Velvet Ant Linux Backdoor and Credential Harvesting Artifacts (via file_event)

Malicious Browser Credential Dump File Drop by Phantom Stealer via file_event

Suspicious Cryptocurrency Wallet File Access by Stealer (via process_creation)

Suspicious PAN-OS Running Config Staged as Web Content via CVE-2024-3400

Suspicious Infostealer Log Artifacts Written to Disk (via file_event)

Possible macOS TCC Bypass via mdimport Loading Custom Spotlight Importer

Suspicious sqlcipher Decryption of Signal Database by WAVESIGN (via process_creation)

Suspicious Termination of Telegram Desktop Prior to Session Theft

Suspicious ipconfig Reconnaissance Output Redirected to CentreStack Log File

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.

windows-process-sqlcmd-exe-querying-veeam-backup-databases-696bfb54

title: "Windows Process: sqlcmd.exe Querying Veeam Backup Databases"
id: 82f7d495-0254-4827-b04e-df4298b541de
status: test
description: 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.
references:
  - https://labs.withsecure.com/publications/fin7-target-veeam-servers
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_sqlcmd_veeam_db_recon.yml
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), Huntrule Team
date: 2023-05-04
tags:
  - attack.collection
  - attack.t1005
logsource:
  category: process_creation
  product: windows
detection:
  selection_sql:
    Image|endswith: \sqlcmd.exe
    CommandLine|contains|all:
      - VeeamBackup
      - "From "
  selection_db:
    CommandLine|contains:
      - BackupRepositories
      - Backups
      - Credentials
      - HostCreds
      - SmbFileShares
      - Ssh_creds
      - VSphereInfo
  condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
  - Unknown
level: medium
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: 696bfb54-227e-4602-ac5b-30d9d2053312
    type: derived

Convert

This rule as a query you can run. Uses no unlock credit.

SplunkSPL