huntrule

Windows Service Install: NtsSrv (StoneDrill) via Service Control Manager Event 7045

Flags Windows service installs of NtsSrv by Service Control Manager with an ImagePath ending in " LocalService".

FreeReviewedSigma · High · v5
Product
windows
Service
system
Author
Florian Roth (Nextron Systems) (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2017-03-07
Updated
2026-07-31
AnalysisDetection

ATT&CK techniques

Persistence → Priv Esc

  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 flags Windows service installation events where the Service Control Manager creates the NtsSrv service. The behavior matters because creating a new service at runtime can establish persistence or run malicious payloads under a defined account. Detection relies on the Windows System service-install telemetry (Event ID 7045) including the service name, provider, and the end of the service ImagePath indicating ' LocalService'.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1543.003 — drag to rearrange
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Malicious TinyTurla ServiceDll Registration via svchost Group (via registry_set)
Suspicious ToyMaker LAGTOY Service Creation Masquerading as WmiPrvSV via sc.exe
Malicious Service Creation With Autostart binPath via sc.exe (via process_creation)
Malicious svchost Service Creation for TinyTurla Persistence (via process_creation)
Malicious Service Creation Masquerading as nslookup (via process_creation)
Interactive Service Creation Executing cmd via sc.exe
Malicious Known Vulnerable Driver Load for BYOVD Attack
Malicious ValleyRAT KernelQuick Rootkit Service and Shellcode Store Registry Keys
Windows Service Install: NtsSrv (StoneDrill) via Service Control Manager Event 7045
Pivot detection · T1543.003 · 9 related

Changelog

v5
  1. v5
    Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
  2. v4
    Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
  3. v3
    Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
  4. v2
    Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
  5. v1
    No changelog recorded for this version.2026-07-30

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