Process Started in a Hidden Desktop


Description

Identifies the execution of a process in an hidden desktop within the default interactive window station. This may indicate an attempt to conceal malicious activity from the plain sight of users.

Query · eql

process where event.type == "start" and process.Ext.desktop_name like "WinSta0\\*" and
not process.Ext.desktop_name : ("WinSta0\\Winlogon", "WinSta0\\Screen-saver", "WinSta0\\ScreenConnectDesktop", "WinSta0\\InstallerDesktop") and 
not (process.parent.executable : "C:\\Program Files (x86)\\SnapComms\\App\\*\\SnapClientHelper.exe" and 
     process.Ext.desktop_name : ("WinSta0\\DummyDesktopForInstantResume", "WinSta0\\ScreenConnectDesktop", "WinSta0\\Disconnect", "WinSta0\\sbox_alternate_desktop_local_winstation_*"))
Raw source Process Started in a Hidden Desktop · Elastic TOML
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Published by elastic/protections-artifacts ↗, licensed under Elastic License 2.0 ↗. Reproduced here unmodified.
[rule]
description = """
Identifies the execution of a process in an hidden desktop within the default interactive window station. This may
indicate an attempt to conceal malicious activity from the plain sight of users.
"""
id = "b90e3fdf-b525-4e27-914a-920f1afd1b4e"
license = "Elastic License v2"
name = "Process Started in a Hidden Desktop"
os_list = ["windows"]
reference = [
    "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1564/003/",
    "https://www.elastic.co/security-labs/elastic-security-labs-discovers-lobshot-malware",
]
version = "1.0.5"

query = '''
process where event.type == "start" and process.Ext.desktop_name like "WinSta0\\*" and
not process.Ext.desktop_name : ("WinSta0\\Winlogon", "WinSta0\\Screen-saver", "WinSta0\\ScreenConnectDesktop", "WinSta0\\InstallerDesktop") and 
not (process.parent.executable : "C:\\Program Files (x86)\\SnapComms\\App\\*\\SnapClientHelper.exe" and 
     process.Ext.desktop_name : ("WinSta0\\DummyDesktopForInstantResume", "WinSta0\\ScreenConnectDesktop", "WinSta0\\Disconnect", "WinSta0\\sbox_alternate_desktop_local_winstation_*"))
'''

min_endpoint_version = "9.1.0"
optional_actions = []
[[actions]]
action = "kill_process"
field = "process.parent.entity_id"
state = 0
tree = true

[[threat]]
framework = "MITRE ATT&CK"
[[threat.technique]]
id = "T1564"
name = "Hide Artifacts"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1564/"
[[threat.technique.subtechnique]]
id = "T1564.003"
name = "Hidden Window"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1564/003/"



[threat.tactic]
id = "TA0005"
name = "Defense Evasion"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0005/"

[internal]
min_endpoint_version = "9.1.0"

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