Multiple Remote Management Tool Vendors on Same Host

[metadata]
creation_date = "2026/03/23"
integration = ["endpoint", "windows", "sentinel_one_cloud_funnel", "m365_defender", "system", "crowdstrike"]
maturity = "production"
updated_date = "2026/06/24"

[rule]
author = ["Elastic"]
description = """
Identifies a Windows host where two or more distinct remote monitoring and management (RMM) or remote-access tool
vendors are observed starting processes within the same eight-minute window. Legitimate MSP environments may run
multiple tools, but this pattern can also indicate compromise, shadow IT, or attacker staging of redundant access.
Processes are mapped to a single vendor label so multiple binaries from the same vendor do not inflate the count.
"""
from = "now-9m"
interval = "8m"
language = "esql"
license = "Elastic License v2"
name = "Multiple Remote Management Tool Vendors on Same Host"
note = """## Triage and analysis

### Investigating Multiple Remote Management Tool Vendors on Same Host

This rule aggregates process start events by `host.id` and host name within the rule's nine-minute lookback window. Data can come from Elastic Defend, Sysmon, Winlogbeat, Windows Security / forwarded events, Microsoft Defender XDR, SentinelOne, or CrowdStrike FDR—where ECS process fields are populated. Each known RMM-related process name maps to one **vendor** label (e.g. TeamViewer, AnyDesk, ScreenConnect). If **two or more different vendor labels** appear within the same lookback window, the rule signals.

### Possible investigation steps

- Open **Esql.vendors_seen** and **Esql.processes_executable_values** on the alert to see which tools fired in the window.
- Confirm whether the host is an MSP-managed jump box, helpdesk workstation, or lab where multiple RMM stacks are expected.
- For servers or standard user endpoints, treat as higher risk: review install source, code signatures, and recent logons.
- Correlate with other alerts (ingress tool transfer, suspicious scripting, new persistence) on the same `host.id`.
- Check asset inventory and change tickets for approved RMM software.

### False positive analysis

- **MSP / IT tooling**: A technician machine with two approved agents (e.g. RMM + remote support) may match. Tune with host or organizational unit exceptions, or raise the vendor threshold if your environment standardizes on a known pair.
- **Vendor rebrands or bundles**: Rare overlaps during migrations can briefly show two vendors; validate timeline and packages.

### Response and remediation

- If unauthorized or unexplained: isolate the host, inventory installed remote-access software, remove unapproved tools, and reset credentials that may have been exposed. Enforce a single approved RMM stack per asset class where possible.
"""

setup = """## Setup

This rule is designed for data generated by [Elastic Defend](https://www.elastic.co/security/endpoint-security), which provides native endpoint detection and response, along with event enrichments designed to work with our detection rules.

Setup instructions: https://ela.st/install-elastic-defend

### Additional data sources

This rule also supports the following third-party data sources. For setup instructions, refer to the links below:

- [CrowdStrike](https://ela.st/crowdstrike-integration)
- [Microsoft Defender XDR](https://ela.st/m365-defender)
- [SentinelOne Cloud Funnel](https://ela.st/sentinel-one-cloud-funnel)
- [Sysmon Event ID 1 - Process Creation](https://ela.st/sysmon-event-1-setup)
- [Windows Process Creation Logs](https://ela.st/audit-process-creation)
"""

references = [
    "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1219/",
    "https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/cybersecurity-advisories/aa23-025a",
    "https://lolrmm.io/",
]
risk_score = 47
rule_id = "c3f8a1d2-4b5e-4c6f-9a8b-1e2d3f4a5b6c"
severity = "medium"
tags = [
    "Domain: Endpoint",
    "OS: Windows",
    "Use Case: Threat Detection",
    "Tactic: Command and Control",
    "Resources: Investigation Guide",
    "Data Source: Elastic Defend",
    "Data Source: Sysmon",
    "Data Source: SentinelOne",
    "Data Source: Microsoft Defender XDR",
    "Data Source: Crowdstrike",
    "Data Source: Windows Security Event Logs",
    "Data Source: Winlogbeat",
]
timestamp_override = "event.ingested"
type = "esql"

query = '''
from logs-endpoint.events.process-*, logs-crowdstrike.fdr*, logs-m365_defender.event-*, logs-sentinel_one_cloud_funnel.*, logs-system.security*, logs-windows.sysmon_operational-*, logs-windows.forwarded*, winlogbeat-* metadata _id, _version, _index
| where (host.os.type == "windows" or host.os.family == "windows")
    and event.category == "process"
    and event.type == "start"
    and process.name is not null
| eval Esql.rmm_vendor = case(
    process.name.caseless like "aa_v*.exe", "AnyAssist",
    process.name.caseless == "acroniscyberprotectconnectagent.exe", "Acronis",
    process.name.caseless == "aeroadmin.exe", "AeroAdmin",
    process.name.caseless == "agentmon.exe", "ConnectWiseAutomate",
    process.name.caseless == "anydesk.exe", "AnyDesk",
    process.name.caseless == "apc_admin.exe", "APC",
    process.name.caseless == "apc_host.exe", "APC",
    process.name.caseless == "ateraagent.exe", "Atera",
    process.name.caseless like "aweray_remote*.exe", "AweSun",
    process.name.caseless == "awesun.exe", "AweSun",
    process.name.caseless == "b4-service.exe", "BeyondTrust",
    process.name.caseless == "basupsrvc.exe", "BeyondTrust",
    process.name.caseless == "bomgar-scc.exe", "BeyondTrust",
    process.name.caseless == "remote support.exe", "BeyondTrust",
    process.name.caseless == "cagservice.exe", "BarracudaRMM",
    process.name.caseless == "cloudracmd.exe", "CloudRadial",
    process.name.caseless == "cloudrasd.exe", "CloudRadial",
    process.name.caseless == "cloudraservice.exe", "CloudRadial",
    process.name.caseless like "connectwisecontrol*.exe", "ScreenConnect",
    process.name.caseless == "domotzagent.exe", "Domotz",
    process.name.caseless == "domotz-windows-x64-10.exe", "Domotz",
    process.name.caseless == "dwagsvc.exe", "DWService",
    process.name.caseless == "dwrcc.exe", "DWService",
    process.name.caseless == "dwrcs.exe", "DWService",
    process.name.caseless == "dwrcst.exe", "DWService",
    process.name.caseless like "fleetdeck_commander*.exe", "FleetDeck",
    process.name.caseless == "g2aservice.exe", "GoTo",
    process.name.caseless == "getscreen.exe", "GetScreen",
    process.name.caseless == "gotoassistservice.exe", "GoTo",
    process.name.caseless == "gotohttp.exe", "GoTo",
    process.name.caseless == "gotoresolveprocesschecker.exe", "GoTo",
    process.name.caseless == "gotoresolveremotecontrol.exe", "GoTo",
    process.name.caseless == "gotoresolveservice.exe", "GoTo",
    process.name.caseless == "gotoresolveterminal.exe", "GoTo",
    process.name.caseless == "gotoresolveunattended.exe", "GoTo",
    process.name.caseless == "helpwire.exe", "HelpWire",
    process.name.caseless == "immyagent.exe", "ImmyBot",
    process.name.caseless == "immybot.agent.ephemeral.exe", "ImmyBot",
    process.name.caseless == "immyupdater.exe", "ImmyBot",
    process.name.caseless == "imperoclientsvc.exe", "Impero",
    process.name.caseless == "imperoserversvc.exe", "Impero",
    process.name.caseless == "isllight.exe", "ISLOnline",
    process.name.caseless == "isllightclient.exe", "ISLOnline",
    process.name.caseless == "jumpcloud-agent.exe", "JumpCloud",
    process.name.caseless == "komari.exe", "Komari",
    process.name.caseless == "komari-agent.exe", "Komari",
    process.name.caseless == "level.exe", "Level",
    process.name.caseless == "lmi_rescue.exe", "LogMeIn",
    process.name.caseless == "lmi_rescue_srv.exe", "LogMeIn",
    process.name.caseless == "lmiignition.exe", "LogMeIn",
    process.name.caseless == "logmein.exe", "LogMeIn",
    process.name.caseless == "ltsvc.exe", "ConnectWiseAutomate",
    process.name.caseless == "ltsvcmon.exe", "ConnectWiseAutomate",
    process.name.caseless == "lttray.exe", "ConnectWiseAutomate",
    process.name.caseless == "lunixar.exe", "Lunixar",
    process.name.caseless == "lunixarremote.exe", "Lunixar",
    process.name.caseless == "lunixarupdater.exe", "Lunixar",
    process.name.caseless == "lvagent.exe", "Level",
    process.name.caseless == "manageengine_remote_access_plus.exe", "ManageEngine",
    process.name.caseless == "meshagent.exe", "MeshCentral",
    process.name.caseless == "mikogo-service.exe", "Mikogo",
    process.name.caseless == "nezha-agent.exe", "Nezha",
    process.name.caseless == "ninjarmmagent.exe", "NinjaOne",
    process.name.caseless == "ninjarmmagentpatcher.exe", "NinjaOne",
    process.name.caseless == "ninjarmm-cli.exe", "NinjaOne",
    process.name.caseless == "parsec.exe", "Parsec",
    process.name.caseless == "pservice.exe", "Pulseway",
    process.name.caseless == "quickassist.exe", "QuickAssist",
    process.name.caseless == "r_server.exe", "Radmin",
    process.name.caseless == "radmin.exe", "Radmin",
    process.name.caseless == "radmin3.exe", "Radmin",
    process.name.caseless == "rcengmgru.exe", "Rsupport",
    process.name.caseless == "rcclient.exe", "RPCSuite",
    process.name.caseless == "rcmgrsvc.exe", "Rsupport",
    process.name.caseless == "rcservice.exe", "RPCSuite",
    process.name.caseless == "remotedesktopmanager.exe", "Devolutions",
    process.name.caseless == "remotely_agent.exe", "Remotely",
    process.name.caseless == "remotely_desktop.exe", "Remotely",
    process.name.caseless == "remotepc.exe", "RemotePC",
    process.name.caseless == "remotepcdesktop.exe", "RemotePC",
    process.name.caseless == "remotepcservice.exe", "RemotePC",
    process.name.caseless == "remoteview.exe", "Rsupport",
    process.name.caseless == "rfusclient.exe", "RemoteUtilities",
    process.name.caseless == "rmm.agent.exe", "SuperOps",
    process.name.caseless == "romserver.exe", "RealVNC",
    process.name.caseless == "romviewer.exe", "RealVNC",
    process.name.caseless == "rpcsuite.exe", "RPCSuite",
    process.name.caseless == "rserver3.exe", "Radmin",
    process.name.caseless == "rustdesk.exe", "RustDesk",
    process.name.caseless == "rutserv.exe", "RemoteUtilities",
    process.name.caseless == "rutview.exe", "RemoteUtilities",
    process.name.caseless == "rvagent.exe", "Rsupport",
    process.name.caseless == "rvagtray.exe", "Rsupport",
    process.name.caseless == "saazapsc.exe", "Kaseya",
    process.name.caseless like "screenconnect*.exe", "ScreenConnect",
    process.name.caseless == "session_win.exe", "ZohoAssist",
    process.name.caseless == "simplegatewayservice.exe", "SimpleHelp",
    process.name.caseless == "simplehelpcustomer.exe", "SimpleHelp",
    process.name.caseless == "smpcview.exe", "Splashtop",
    process.name.caseless == "spclink.exe", "Splashtop",
    process.name.caseless == "splashtop-streamer.exe", "Splashtop",
    process.name.caseless == "splashtopsos.exe", "Splashtop",
    process.name.caseless == "spsrv.exe", "Splashtop",
    process.name.caseless == "sragent.exe", "Splashtop",
    process.name.caseless == "srservice.exe", "Splashtop",
    process.name.caseless == "srmanager.exe", "Splashtop",
    process.name.caseless == "srserver.exe", "Splashtop",
    process.name.caseless == "strwinclt.exe", "Splashtop",
    process.name.caseless == "supremo.exe", "Supremo",
    process.name.caseless == "supremoservice.exe", "Supremo",
    process.name.caseless == "syncro.app.runner.exe", "Splashtop",
    process.name.caseless == "syncro.installer.exe", "Splashtop",
    process.name.caseless == "syncro.overmind.service.exe", "Splashtop",
    process.name.caseless == "syncro.service.exe", "Splashtop",
    process.name.caseless == "syncrolive.agent.exe", "Splashtop",
    process.name.caseless == "syncrolive.agent.runner.exe", "Splashtop",
    process.name.caseless == "syncrolive.service.exe", "Splashtop",
    process.name.caseless == "tacticalrmm.exe", "TacticalRMM",
    process.name.caseless == "tailscale.exe", "Tailscale",
    process.name.caseless == "tailscaled.exe", "Tailscale",
    process.name.caseless == "teamviewer.exe", "TeamViewer",
    process.name.caseless == "teamviewer_desktop.exe", "TeamViewer",
    process.name.caseless == "teamviewer_service.exe", "TeamViewer",
    process.name.caseless == "tiagent.exe", "Tiflux",
    process.name.caseless == "ticlientcore.exe", "Tiflux",
    process.name.caseless == "todesk_service.exe", "ToDesk",
    process.name.caseless == "toolsiq.exe", "ToolsIQ",
    process.name.caseless == "tsclient.exe", "Techinline",
    process.name.caseless == "tvn.exe", "TightVNC",
    process.name.caseless == "tvnserver.exe", "TightVNC",
    process.name.caseless == "tvnviewer.exe", "TightVNC",
    process.name.caseless == "twingate.exe", "Twingate",
    process.name.caseless like "ultravnc*.exe", "UltraVNC",
    process.name.caseless like "ultraviewer*.exe", "UltraViewer",
    process.name.caseless == "velociraptor.exe", "Velociraptor",
    process.name.caseless == "vncserver.exe", "RealVNC",
    process.name.caseless == "vncviewer.exe", "RealVNC",
    process.name.caseless == "winvnc.exe", "RealVNC",
    process.name.caseless == "winwvc.exe", "TightVNC",
    process.name.caseless == "za_access.exe", "ZohoAssist",
    process.name.caseless == "za_connect.exe", "ZohoAssist",
    process.name.caseless == "zaservice.exe", "ZohoAssist",
    process.name.caseless == "zmagent.exe", "ZohoAssist",
    process.name.caseless == "zohomeeting.exe", "ZohoAssist",
    process.name.caseless == "zohotray.exe", "ZohoAssist",
    process.name.caseless == "zohours.exe", "ZohoAssist",
    process.name.caseless == "zohoursservice.exe", "ZohoAssist",
    ""
  )
| where Esql.rmm_vendor != "" and Esql.rmm_vendor is not NULL
| stats Esql.vendor_count = count_distinct(Esql.rmm_vendor),
        Esql.vendors_seen = values(Esql.rmm_vendor),
        Esql.processes_executable_values = values(process.executable),
        Esql.first_seen = min(@timestamp),
        Esql.last_seen = max(@timestamp)
  by host.name, host.id
| where Esql.vendor_count >= 2
| sort Esql.vendor_count desc
| keep host.id, host.name, Esql.*
'''

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

[[rule.threat.technique]]
id = "T1219"
name = "Remote Access Tools"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1219/"

[[rule.threat.technique.subtechnique]]
id = "T1219.002"
name = "Remote Desktop Software"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1219/002/"

[rule.threat.tactic]
id = "TA0011"
name = "Command and Control"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0011/"