Unusual Base64 Encoding/Decoding Activity

Last updated 10 days ago on 2025-02-21
Created 10 days ago on 2025-02-21

About

This rule leverages ES|QL to detect unusual base64 encoding/decoding activity on Linux systems. Attackers may use base64 encoding/decoding to obfuscate data, such as command and control traffic or payloads, to evade detection by host- or network-based security controls. ES|QL rules have limited fields available in its alert documents. Make sure to review the original documents to aid in the investigation of this alert.
Tags
Domain: EndpointOS: LinuxUse Case: Threat DetectionTactic: Defense EvasionData Source: Elastic DefendLanguage: esql
Severity
low
Risk Score
21
MITRE ATT&CK™

Defense Evasion (TA0005)(opens in a new tab or window)

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

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

Definition

Integration Pack
Prebuilt Security Detection Rules
Related Integrations

endpoint(opens in a new tab or window)

Query
from logs-endpoint.events.process-*
| keep @timestamp, host.os.type, event.type, event.action, process.name, process.args, process.command_line, agent.id
| where @timestamp > now() - 1 hours
| where host.os.type == "linux" and event.type == "start" and event.action == "exec" and (
  (process.name in ("base64", "base64plain", "base64url", "base64mime", "base64pem", "base32", "base16") and process.command_line like "*-*d*") or
  (process.name == "openssl" and process.args == "enc" and process.args in ("-d", "-base64", "-a")) or
  (process.name like "python*" and
    (process.args == "base64" and process.args in ("-d", "-u", "-t")) or
    (process.args == "-c" and process.command_line like "*base64*" and process.command_line like "*b64decode*")
  ) or
  (process.name like "perl*" and process.command_line like "*decode_base64*") or
  (process.name like "ruby*" and process.args == "-e" and process.command_line like "*Base64.decode64*")
)
| stats cc = count(), agent_count = count_distinct(agent.id) by process.name, process.command_line
| where agent_count == 1 and cc < 15
| sort cc asc
| limit 100

Install detection rules in Elastic Security

Detect Unusual Base64 Encoding/Decoding Activity 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).