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Windows: ssh.exe Used as Proxy/Local Command Launcher via ProxyCommand and LocalCommand

Detects Windows executions of ssh.exe that use ProxyCommand and PermitLocalCommand/LocalCommand to launch proxied or local commands.

FreeReviewedSigma · Medium · v1
Product
windows
Category
process_creation
Author
frack113, Nasreddine Bencherchali (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2022-12-29
Updated
2026-07-30
AnalysisDetection

ATT&CK techniques

Defense Evasion

  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 process creation where ssh.exe is executed with settings indicative of SSH command proxying, including ProxyCommand= and PermitLocalCommand=yes combined with LocalCommand. Attackers can use these features to execute or relay commands through ssh.exe in a way that blends into normal remote access tooling. The detection relies on process creation telemetry including the parent Image (OpenSSH sshd.exe) and detailed Image/command-line contents for ssh.exe, plus specific known binary characteristics via imphash matching.

Reporting behind it

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Windows: ssh.exe Used as Proxy/Local Command Launcher via ProxyCommand and LocalCommand
Pivot detection · T1218 · 9 related

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