[metadata] creation_date = "2020/02/18" maturity = "production" updated_date = "2021/04/14" [rule] author = ["Elastic"] description = """ Windows services typically run as SYSTEM and can be used as a privilege escalation opportunity. Malware or penetration testers may run a shell as a service to gain SYSTEM permissions. """ from = "now-9m" index = ["winlogbeat-*", "logs-endpoint.events.*", "logs-windows.*"] language = "eql" license = "Elastic License v2" name = "System Shells via Services" risk_score = 47 rule_id = "0022d47d-39c7-4f69-a232-4fe9dc7a3acd" severity = "medium" tags = ["Elastic", "Host", "Windows", "Threat Detection", "Persistence"] timestamp_override = "event.ingested" type = "eql" query = ''' process where event.type in ("start", "process_started") and process.parent.name : "services.exe" and process.name : ("cmd.exe", "powershell.exe") and /* Third party FP's */ not process.args : "NVDisplay.ContainerLocalSystem" ''' [[rule.threat]] framework = "MITRE ATT&CK" [[rule.threat.technique]] id = "T1543" reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1543/" name = "Create or Modify System Process" [[rule.threat.technique.subtechnique]] id = "T1543.003" reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1543/003/" name = "Windows Service" [rule.threat.tactic] id = "TA0003" reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0003/" name = "Persistence"