sigma-rules/rules_building_block/lateral_movement_unusual_process_sql_accounts.toml

[metadata]
bypass_bbr_timing = true
creation_date = "2023/08/25"
integration = ["endpoint"]
maturity = "production"
updated_date = "2026/03/24"

[rule]
author = ["Elastic"]
building_block_type = "default"
description = """
Identifies unusual process executions using MSSQL Service accounts, which can indicate the exploitation/compromise of
SQL instances. Attackers may exploit exposed MSSQL instances for initial access or lateral movement.
"""
from = "now-9m"
index = ["logs-endpoint.events.process-*"]
language = "eql"
license = "Elastic License v2"
name = "Unusual Process For MSSQL Service Accounts"
references = [
    "https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2023/08/24/flax-typhoon-using-legitimate-software-to-quietly-access-taiwanese-organizations/",
    "https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/database-engine/configure-windows/configure-windows-service-accounts-and-permissions?view=sql-server-ver16",
]
risk_score = 21
rule_id = "e74d645b-fec6-431e-bf93-ca64a538e0de"
severity = "low"
tags = [
    "Domain: Endpoint",
    "OS: Windows",
    "Use Case: Threat Detection",
    "Tactic: Lateral Movement",
    "Tactic: Persistence",
    "Data Source: Elastic Defend",
    "Rule Type: BBR",
]
timestamp_override = "event.ingested"
type = "eql"

query = '''
process where event.type == "start" and host.os.type == "windows" and
  user.name : (
    "SQLSERVERAGENT", "SQLAGENT$*",
    "MSSQLSERVER", "MSSQL$*",
    "MSSQLServerOLAPService",
    "ReportServer*", "MsDtsServer150",
    "MSSQLFDLauncher*",
    "SQLServer2005SQLBrowserUser$*",
    "SQLWriter", "winmgmt"
  ) and user.domain : "NT SERVICE" and
  not (
    (
      process.name : (
        "sqlceip.exe", "sqlservr.exe", "sqlagent.exe",
        "msmdsrv.exe", "ReportingServicesService.exe",
        "MsDtsSrvr.exe", "sqlbrowser.exe", "DTExec.exe",
        "SQLPS.exe", "fdhost.exe", "fdlauncher.exe",
        "SqlDumper.exe", "sqlsqm.exe", "DatabaseMail.exe",
        "ISServerExec.exe", "Microsoft.ReportingServices.Portal.WebHost.exe",
        "bcp.exe", "SQLCMD.exe", "DatabaseMail.exe"
      ) or
      process.executable : (
        "?:\\Windows\\System32\\wermgr.exe",
        "?:\\Windows\\System32\\conhost.exe",
        "?:\\Windows\\System32\\WerFault.exe"
      )
    ) and
    (
      process.code_signature.subject_name : ("Microsoft Corporation", "Microsoft Windows") and
      process.code_signature.trusted == true
    )
  ) and
  not (
    (process.name : "cmd.exe" and process.parent.name : "sqlservr.exe") or
    (process.name : "cmd.exe" and process.parent.name : "forfiles.exe" and process.command_line : "/c echo *")
  )
'''


[[rule.threat]]
framework = "MITRE ATT&CK"

[[rule.threat.technique]]
id = "T1210"
name = "Exploitation of Remote Services"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1210/"

[rule.threat.tactic]
id = "TA0008"
name = "Lateral Movement"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0008/"

[[rule.threat]]
framework = "MITRE ATT&CK"

[[rule.threat.technique]]
id = "T1505"
name = "Server Software Component"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1505/"

[[rule.threat.technique.subtechnique]]
id = "T1505.001"
name = "SQL Stored Procedures"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1505/001/"

[rule.threat.tactic]
id = "TA0003"
name = "Persistence"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0003/"

[[rule.threat]]
framework = "MITRE ATT&CK"

[[rule.threat.technique]]
id = "T1059"
name = "Command and Scripting Interpreter"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1059/"

[rule.threat.tactic]
id = "TA0002"
name = "Execution"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0002/"

[[rule.threat]]
framework = "MITRE ATT&CK"

[[rule.threat.technique]]
id = "T1190"
name = "Exploit Public-Facing Application"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1190/"

[rule.threat.tactic]
id = "TA0001"
name = "Initial Access"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0001/"