Scripting engine connected to a rare external host

Cortex XDR Analytics Alert Reference by Alert name

Product
Cortex XDR
Last date published
2024-10-08
Category
Analytics Alert Reference
Order
Alert name

Synopsis

Activation Period

14 Days

Training Period

30 Days

Test Period

N/A (single event)

Deduplication Period

1 Day

Required Data

  • Requires:
    • XDR Agent

Detection Modules

Detector Tags

ATT&CK Tactic

ATT&CK Technique

Severity

Low

Description

Scripts connecting to external IP addresses may be sanctioned IT scripts. However, when those external IP addresses are only receiving connections from a few specific endpoints in the organization, these scripts may be an indicator of more suspicious activity. Security testers and adversaries use offensive frameworks that employ forms of scripting which result in this type of network activity.

Attacker's Goals

Connect to the attacker's Command and Control server.

Investigative actions

  • Check the external address the process connects to.
  • Fetch and investigate the executed script.

Variations

Scripting engine failed to connect to a rare external host

Synopsis

ATT&CK Tactic

ATT&CK Technique

Severity

Informational

Description

Scripts connecting to external IP addresses may be sanctioned IT scripts. However, when those external IP addresses are only receiving connections from a few specific endpoints in the organization, these scripts may be an indicator of more suspicious activity. Security testers and adversaries use offensive frameworks that employ forms of scripting which result in this type of network activity.

Attacker's Goals

Connect to the attacker's Command and Control server.

Investigative actions

  • Check the external address the process connects to.
  • Fetch and investigate the executed script.


Windows LOLBIN scripting engine connected to a rare external host

Synopsis

ATT&CK Tactic

ATT&CK Technique

Severity

Medium

Description

Scripts connecting to external IP addresses may be sanctioned IT scripts. However, when those external IP addresses are only receiving connections from a few specific endpoints in the organization, these scripts may be an indicator of more suspicious activity. Security testers and adversaries use offensive frameworks that employ forms of scripting which result in this type of network activity.

Attacker's Goals

Connect to the attacker's Command and Control server.

Investigative actions

  • Check the external address the process connects to.
  • Fetch and investigate the executed script.