Windows sqlcmd.exe Credential Dump Query Against VeeamBackup dbo
Alerts on sqlcmd.exe running a query targeting the VeeamBackup dbo Credentials table to dump sensitive credentials.
- Product
- windows
- Category
- process_creation
- Author
- frack113 (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
- Published
- 2021-12-20
- Updated
- 2026-07-30
ATT&CK techniques
CollectionRecon
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 process executions of sqlcmd.exe where the command line contains a SQL query selecting the TOP rows from the VeeamBackup dbo Credentials table. Such credential-dumping activity matters because it enables attackers to obtain sensitive backup database secrets, often as a step toward further compromise. Detection relies on Windows process creation telemetry capturing the sqlcmd.exe image path and the full command line content.
Reporting behind it
- thedfirreport.comhttps://thedfirreport.com/2021/12/13/diavol-ransomware/
- forums.veeam.comhttps://forums.veeam.com/veeam-backup-replication-f2/recover-esxi-password-in-veeam-t34630.html
- github.comhttps://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_sqlcmd_veeam_dump.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 sqlcmd.exe Credential Dump Query Against VeeamBackup dbo
id: 598af1b8-2e6f-42db-8bbf-28bfbf4dda7c
status: test
description: This rule flags process executions of sqlcmd.exe where the command line contains a SQL query selecting the TOP rows from the VeeamBackup dbo Credentials table. Such credential-dumping activity matters because it enables attackers to obtain sensitive backup database secrets, often as a step toward further compromise. Detection relies on Windows process creation telemetry capturing the sqlcmd.exe image path and the full command line content.
references:
- https://thedfirreport.com/2021/12/13/diavol-ransomware/
- https://forums.veeam.com/veeam-backup-replication-f2/recover-esxi-password-in-veeam-t34630.html
- https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_sqlcmd_veeam_dump.yml
author: frack113, Huntrule Team
date: 2021-12-20
modified: 2023-02-13
tags:
- attack.collection
- attack.t1005
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection_tools:
Image|endswith: \sqlcmd.exe
selection_query:
CommandLine|contains|all:
- SELECT
- TOP
- "[VeeamBackup].[dbo].[Credentials]"
condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
license: DRL-1.1
related:
- id: b57ba453-b384-4ab9-9f40-1038086b4e53
type: derived