Unusual Process For MSSQL Service Accounts
ELASTIC detection rule by Elastic · Elastic License v2
Identifies unusual process executions using MSSQL Service accounts, which can indicate the exploitation/compromise of
SQL instances. Attackers may exploit exposed MSSQL instances for initial access or lateral movement.
[metadata]
bypass_bbr_timing = true
creation_date = "2023/08/25"
integration = ["endpoint"]
maturity = "production"
updated_date = "2026/03/24"
[rule]
author = ["Elastic"]
building_block_type = "default"
description = """
Identifies unusual process executions using MSSQL Service accounts, which can indicate the exploitation/compromise of
SQL instances. Attackers may exploit exposed MSSQL instances for initial access or lateral movement.
"""
from = "now-9m"
index = ["logs-endpoint.events.process-*"]
language = "eql"
license = "Elastic License v2"
name = "Unusual Process For MSSQL Service Accounts"
references = [
"https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2023/08/24/flax-typhoon-using-legitimate-software-to-quietly-access-taiwanese-organizations/",
"https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/database-engine/configure-windows/configure-windows-service-accounts-and-permissions?view=sql-server-ver16",
]
risk_score = 21
rule_id = "e74d645b-fec6-431e-bf93-ca64a538e0de"
severity = "low"
tags = [
"Domain: Endpoint",
"OS: Windows",
"Use Case: Threat Detection",
"Tactic: Lateral Movement",
"Tactic: Persistence",
"Data Source: Elastic Defend",
"Rule Type: BBR",
]
timestamp_override = "event.ingested"
type = "eql"
query = '''
process where event.type == "start" and host.os.type == "windows" and
user.name : (
"SQLSERVERAGENT", "SQLAGENT$*",
"MSSQLSERVER", "MSSQL$*",
"MSSQLServerOLAPService",
"ReportServer*", "MsDtsServer150",
"MSSQLFDLauncher*",
"SQLServer2005SQLBrowserUser$*",
"SQLWriter", "winmgmt"
) and user.domain : "NT SERVICE" and
not (
(
process.name : (
"sqlceip.exe", "sqlservr.exe", "sqlagent.exe",
"msmdsrv.exe", "ReportingServicesService.exe",
"MsDtsSrvr.exe", "sqlbrowser.exe", "DTExec.exe",
"SQLPS.exe", "fdhost.exe", "fdlauncher.exe",
"SqlDumper.exe", "sqlsqm.exe", "DatabaseMail.exe",
"ISServerExec.exe", "Microsoft.ReportingServices.Portal.WebHost.exe",
"bcp.exe", "SQLCMD.exe", "DatabaseMail.exe"
) or
process.executable : (
"?:\\Windows\\System32\\wermgr.exe",
"?:\\Windows\\System32\\conhost.exe",
"?:\\Windows\\System32\\WerFault.exe"
)
) and
(
process.code_signature.subject_name : ("Microsoft Corporation", "Microsoft Windows") and
process.code_signature.trusted == true
)
) and
not (
(process.name : "cmd.exe" and process.parent.name : "sqlservr.exe") or
(process.name : "cmd.exe" and process.parent.name : "forfiles.exe" and process.command_line : "/c echo *")
)
'''
[[rule.threat]]
framework = "MITRE ATT&CK"
[[rule.threat.technique]]
id = "T1210"
name = "Exploitation of Remote Services"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1210/"
[rule.threat.tactic]
id = "TA0008"
name = "Lateral Movement"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0008/"
[[rule.threat]]
framework = "MITRE ATT&CK"
[[rule.threat.technique]]
id = "T1505"
name = "Server Software Component"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1505/"
[[rule.threat.technique.subtechnique]]
id = "T1505.001"
name = "SQL Stored Procedures"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1505/001/"
[rule.threat.tactic]
id = "TA0003"
name = "Persistence"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0003/"
[[rule.threat]]
framework = "MITRE ATT&CK"
[[rule.threat.technique]]
id = "T1059"
name = "Command and Scripting Interpreter"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1059/"
[rule.threat.tactic]
id = "TA0002"
name = "Execution"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0002/"
[[rule.threat]]
framework = "MITRE ATT&CK"
[[rule.threat.technique]]
id = "T1190"
name = "Exploit Public-Facing Application"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1190/"
[rule.threat.tactic]
id = "TA0001"
name = "Initial Access"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0001/"