Unusual use of a 'SysInternals' tool

Cortex XDR Analytics Alert Reference by data source

Product
Cortex XDR
Last date published
2024-12-03
Category
Analytics Alert Reference
Order
data source

Synopsis

Activation Period

14 Days

Training Period

30 Days

Test Period

N/A (single event)

Deduplication Period

1 Day

Required Data

  • Requires:
    • XDR Agent with eXtended Threat Hunting (XTH)

Detection Modules

Detector Tags

ATT&CK Tactic

Defense Evasion (TA0005)

ATT&CK Technique

Obfuscated Files or Information (T1027)

Severity

Informational

Description

An attacker may be trying to avoid detection by using obfuscated copy of SysInternals tools.

Attacker's Goals

  • Attacker may use SysInternals tools for lateral movement, credentials access or delete recovery backups for impact.

Investigative actions

  • Check if the file is familiar to the user, if not, investigate further the source of it.

Variations

Unusual use of a 'SysInternals' tool by a process with an invalid or non-standard signature

Synopsis

ATT&CK Tactic

Defense Evasion (TA0005)

ATT&CK Technique

Obfuscated Files or Information (T1027)

Severity

High

Description

An attacker may be trying to avoid detection by using obfuscated copy of SysInternals tools.

Attacker's Goals

  • Attacker may use SysInternals tools for lateral movement, credentials access or delete recovery backups for impact.

Investigative actions

  • Check if the file is familiar to the user, if not, investigate further the source of it.


Unusual use of a 'SysInternals' tool that can be used for offensive operations

Synopsis

ATT&CK Tactic

Defense Evasion (TA0005)

ATT&CK Technique

Obfuscated Files or Information (T1027)

Severity

High

Description

An attacker may be trying to avoid detection by using obfuscated copy of SysInternals tools.

Attacker's Goals

  • Attacker may use SysInternals tools for lateral movement, credentials access or delete recovery backups for impact.

Investigative actions

  • Check if the file is familiar to the user, if not, investigate further the source of it.