Python Initial Access via Google Drive


Description

Detects the execution of Python followed by a network connection by Python to a Google Drive domain and ultimately the creation of a Python script or executable. Nation State actors have been observed engaged in several initial access campaigns using Python coding lures that retrieve and execute secondary and even tertiary Python scripts that eventually lead to a payload that establishes command and control.

Query · eql

sequence by process.entity_id with maxspan=15s
[process where event.type == "start" and event.action == "exec" and process.name like~ "Python*" and
  not process.parent.executable == "/Library/Developer/CommandLineTools/usr/bin/make"]
[network where event.type == "start" and process.name like~ "Python*" and destination.domain in ("drive.usercontent.google.com", "drive.usercontent.google.com.", "drive.google.com", "drive.google.com.", "script.google.com", "script.google.com.")]
Raw source Python Initial Access via Google Drive · Elastic TOML
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Published by elastic/protections-artifacts ↗, licensed under Elastic License 2.0 ↗. Reproduced here unmodified.
[rule]
description = """
Detects the execution of Python followed by a network connection by Python to a Google Drive domain and ultimately the
creation of a Python script or executable. Nation State actors have been observed engaged in several initial access
campaigns using Python coding lures that retrieve and execute secondary and even tertiary Python scripts that eventually
lead to a payload that establishes command and control.
"""
id = "dee4badb-aa5b-477b-9bfc-708d45fee7c7"
license = "Elastic License v2"
name = "Python Initial Access via Google Drive"
os_list = ["macos"]
reference = [
    "https://www.elastic.co/security-labs/dprk-code-of-conduct",
    "https://www.elastic.co/security-labs/elastic-catches-dprk-passing-out-kandykorn",
]
version = "1.0.6"

query = '''
sequence by process.entity_id with maxspan=15s
[process where event.type == "start" and event.action == "exec" and process.name like~ "Python*" and
  not process.parent.executable == "/Library/Developer/CommandLineTools/usr/bin/make"]
[network where event.type == "start" and process.name like~ "Python*" and destination.domain in ("drive.usercontent.google.com", "drive.usercontent.google.com.", "drive.google.com", "drive.google.com.", "script.google.com", "script.google.com.")]
'''

min_endpoint_version = "8.16.0"
optional_actions = []
[[actions]]
action = "kill_process"
field = "process.entity_id"
state = 0

[[actions]]
action = "kill_process"
field = "process.parent.entity_id"
state = 0

[[threat]]
framework = "MITRE ATT&CK"
[[threat.technique]]
id = "T1059"
name = "Command and Scripting Interpreter"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1059/"
[[threat.technique.subtechnique]]
id = "T1059.006"
name = "Python"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1059/006/"

[[threat.technique.subtechnique]]
id = "T1059.007"
name = "JavaScript"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1059/007/"



[threat.tactic]
id = "TA0002"
name = "Execution"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0002/"
[[threat]]
framework = "MITRE ATT&CK"
[[threat.technique]]
id = "T1105"
name = "Ingress Tool Transfer"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1105/"


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

[internal]
min_endpoint_version = "8.16.0"

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