Elastic Security Detection Rules

Execution via MSSQL xp_cmdshell Stored Procedure

Last updated 5 months ago on 2025-03-20
Created 5 years ago on 2020-08-14

About

Identifies execution via MSSQL xp_cmdshell stored procedure. Malicious users may attempt to elevate their privileges by using xp_cmdshell, which is disabled by default, thus, it's important to review the context of it's use.
Tags
Domain: EndpointOS: WindowsUse Case: Threat DetectionTactic: PersistenceData Source: Elastic EndgameData Source: Elastic DefendData Source: Windows Security Event LogsData Source: Microsoft Defender for EndpointData Source: SysmonData Source: SentinelOneData Source: CrowdstrikeLanguage: eql
Severity
high
Risk Score
73
MITRE ATT&CK™

Persistence (TA0003)(opens in a new tab or window)

↳ Server Software Component (T1505)(opens in a new tab or window)

Execution (TA0002)(opens in a new tab or window)

↳ Command and Scripting Interpreter (T1059)(opens in a new tab or window)

License
Elastic License v2(opens in a new tab or window)

Definition

Rule Type
Event Correlation Rule
Integration Pack
Prebuilt Security Detection Rules
Index Patterns
endgame-*logs-crowdstrike.fdr*logs-endpoint.events.process-*logs-m365_defender.event-*logs-sentinel_one_cloud_funnel.*logs-system.security*logs-windows.forwarded*logs-windows.sysmon_operational-*winlogbeat-*
Related Integrations

endpoint(opens in a new tab or window)

windows(opens in a new tab or window)

system(opens in a new tab or window)

m365_defender(opens in a new tab or window)

sentinel_one_cloud_funnel(opens in a new tab or window)

crowdstrike(opens in a new tab or window)

Query
process where host.os.type == "windows" and event.type == "start" and process.parent.name : "sqlservr.exe" and 
  (
   (process.name : "cmd.exe" and 
    not process.args : ("\\\\*", "diskfree", "rmdir", "mkdir", "dir", "del", "rename", "bcp", "*XMLNAMESPACES*", 
                        "?:\\MSSQL\\Backup\\Jobs\\sql_agent_backup_job.ps1", "K:\\MSSQL\\Backup\\msdb", "K:\\MSSQL\\Backup\\Logins")) or 
                        
   (process.name : "vpnbridge.exe" or ?process.pe.original_file_name : "vpnbridge.exe") or 

   (process.name : "certutil.exe" or ?process.pe.original_file_name == "CertUtil.exe") or 

   (process.name : "bitsadmin.exe" or ?process.pe.original_file_name == "bitsadmin.exe")
  )

Install detection rules in Elastic Security

Detect Execution via MSSQL xp_cmdshell Stored Procedure in the Elastic Security detection engine by installing this rule into your Elastic Stack.

To setup this rule, check out the installation guide for Prebuilt Security Detection Rules(opens in a new tab or window).