System Time Discovery

ELASTIC detection rule by Elastic · Elastic License v2

Detects the usage of commonly used system time discovery techniques, which attackers may use during the reconnaissance phase after compromising a system.

[metadata]
bypass_bbr_timing = true
creation_date = "2023/01/24"
integration = ["windows", "endpoint", "system"]
maturity = "production"
updated_date = "2026/03/24"

[rule]
author = ["Elastic"]
building_block_type = "default"
description = """
Detects the usage of commonly used system time discovery techniques, which attackers may use during the reconnaissance
phase after compromising a system.
"""
from = "now-9m"
index = [
    "endgame-*",
    "logs-endpoint.events.process-*",
    "logs-system.security*",
    "logs-windows.*",
    "winlogbeat-*",
]
language = "eql"
license = "Elastic License v2"
name = "System Time Discovery"
risk_score = 21
rule_id = "06568a02-af29-4f20-929c-f3af281e41aa"
severity = "low"
tags = [
    "Domain: Endpoint",
    "OS: Windows",
    "Use Case: Threat Detection",
    "Tactic: Discovery",
    "Data Source: Elastic Defend",
    "Data Source: Elastic Endgame",
    "Rule Type: BBR",
    "Data Source: Windows Security Event Logs",
]
timestamp_override = "event.ingested"
type = "eql"

query = '''
process where host.os.type == "windows" and event.type == "start" and
(
 (
    (process.name: "net.exe" or (process.name : "net1.exe" and not process.parent.name : "net.exe")) and 
    process.args : "time" and not process.args : "/set"
 ) or 
 (process.name: "w32tm.exe" and process.args: "/tz") or 
 (process.name: "tzutil.exe" and process.args: "/g")
) and not user.id : ("S-1-5-18", "S-1-5-19", "S-1-5-20")
'''


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

[[rule.threat.technique]]
id = "T1124"
name = "System Time Discovery"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1124/"

[[rule.threat.technique]]
id = "T1614"
name = "System Location Discovery"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1614/"

[rule.threat.tactic]
id = "TA0007"
name = "Discovery"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0007/"

[[ currentRule.title && currentRule.title.length > 60 ? currentRule.title.slice(0, 60) + '…' : currentRule.title ]]

8821008c-fcaf-41cf-a5e6-7c1fb3368417

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Executable code, not a declarative rule

This submission is arbitrary [[ currentRule.format ? currentRule.format.toUpperCase() : '' ]] code, not a declarative detection rule — review it as you would any script before running it, and note that it cannot be safely aggregated or auto-executed alongside YARA/Sigma/Suricata/CRS rules.

Rejected pattern present

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Format & documentation suggestions

Not a security issue — this rule is valid and was accepted as-is. These are optional fields/conventions its own format recommends, mainly affecting its quality score and how well it documents itself for other reviewers.

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[[ currentRule.title && currentRule.title.length > 60 ? currentRule.title.slice(0, 60) + '…' : currentRule.title ]]

[[ currentRule.title ]]

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