Windows sc.exe Service Query Execution via Process Creation

title: Windows sc.exe Service Query Execution via Process Creation
id: 98451f66-5f67-4096-a8a5-f1746418a67d
status: test
description: This rule identifies process executions of sc.exe where the command line includes the string " query", indicating an attempt to query information about registered Windows services. Attackers and administrators may use sc.exe for service discovery and status checks, which can support broader reconnaissance or troubleshooting. It relies on Windows process creation telemetry, matching on the image path/name and the presence of the query keyword in the command line while excluding one specific benign Keybase service query pattern.
references:
  - https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1007/T1007.md#atomic-test-1---system-service-discovery
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules-threat-hunting/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_sc_query.yml
author: frack113, Huntrule Team
date: 2021-12-06
modified: 2024-02-08
tags:
  - attack.discovery
  - attack.t1007
  - detection.threat-hunting
logsource:
  category: process_creation
  product: windows
detection:
  selection_img:
    Image|endswith: \sc.exe
    OriginalFileName: sc.exe
  selection_cli:
    CommandLine|contains: " query"
  filter_optional_keybase:
    CommandLine: sc query dokan1
  condition: all of selection_* and not 1 of filter_optional_*
falsepositives:
  - Legitimate query of a service by an administrator to get more information such as the state or PID
  - Keybase process "kbfsdokan.exe" query the dokan1 service with the following commandline "sc query dokan1"
level: low
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: 57712d7a-679c-4a41-a913-87e7175ae429
    type: derived