Suspicious Shells Spawn by Java Utility Keytool

SIGMA detection rule by Andreas Hunkeler (@Karneades) · GPL-2.0

Detects suspicious shell spawn from Java utility keytool process (e.g. adselfservice plus exploitation)

title: Suspicious Shells Spawn by Java Utility Keytool
id: cb8f70fe-80c4-48c0-0473-656666b52064
related:
    - id: 90fb5e62-ca1f-4e22-b42e-cc521874c938
      type: derived
status: test
description: Detects suspicious shell spawn from Java utility keytool process (e.g. adselfservice plus exploitation)
references:
    - https://redcanary.com/blog/intelligence-insights-december-2021
    - https://www.synacktiv.com/en/publications/how-to-exploit-cve-2021-40539-on-manageengine-adselfservice-plus.html
author: Andreas Hunkeler (@Karneades)
date: 2021-12-22
modified: 2023-01-21
tags:
    - attack.initial-access
    - attack.persistence
    - attack.privilege-escalation
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    process_creation:
        EventID: 4688
        Channel: Security
    selection:
        ParentProcessName|endswith: \keytool.exe
        NewProcessName|endswith:
            - \cmd.exe
            - \sh.exe
            - \bash.exe
            - \powershell.exe
            - \pwsh.exe
            - \schtasks.exe
            - \certutil.exe
            - \whoami.exe
            - \bitsadmin.exe
            - \wscript.exe
            - \cscript.exe
            - \scrcons.exe
            - \regsvr32.exe
            - \hh.exe
            - \wmic.exe
            - \mshta.exe
            - \rundll32.exe
            - \forfiles.exe
            - \scriptrunner.exe
            - \mftrace.exe
            - \AppVLP.exe
            - \systeminfo.exe
            - \reg.exe
            - \query.exe
    condition: process_creation and selection
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high
ruletype: Sigma

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

48e71a9c-4773-4b7d-a02c-e971a5924344

Propose edits, view related rules, and engage with the community through comments.

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

[[ reason ]]

What does this mean?

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.

[[ reason ]]

What do these messages mean?

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

[[ currentRule.title ]]

Community Discussion