Windows Mustang Panda USB Tool Execution
Description
Detects known executables used for infection or DLL side loading by Mustang Panda being launched from a non-C:\ location. This can indicate a compromise via USB, or external storage device. You will have to adapt this detection if you do not use C:\ as the root device.
Query · spl
| tstats `security_content_summariesonly`
count min(_time) as firstTime
max(_time) as lastTime
from datamodel=Endpoint.Processes where
NOT Processes.process_path="C:\\*"
Processes.process_path IN (
"*atkexComSvcRes.exe",
"*AtlTraceTool8.exe",
"*browser.ex",
"*CefSub.exe",
"*dabs.ex",
"*FacialFeatureDemo.exe",
"*GoogleUpdate*.exe",
"*GUP.exe",
"*HPCustParticUI.exe",
"*install_.exe",
"*mcsync.ex",
"*melt_64.exe",
"*mscorsvw.exe",
"*OleView.exe",
"*piz.exe",
"*PlugInInstallerUtility2.exe",
"*rar330.exe",
"*Samvd.exe",
"*scx.exe",
"*spoololk.exe",
"*Symantec.exe",
"*SymantecHp.exe",
"*Symantecs.exe",
"*Symantecsy.exe",
"*upservice.exe",
"*vivaldi.exe",
"*wsc_proxy.exe",
"*ygfdt.exe"
)
by Processes.process Processes.vendor_product Processes.user_id Processes.process_hash
Processes.parent_process_name Processes.parent_process_exec Processes.action
Processes.dest Processes.process_current_directory Processes.process_path
Processes.process_integrity_level Processes.original_file_name Processes.parent_process
Processes.parent_process_path Processes.parent_process_guid Processes.parent_process_id
Processes.process_guid Processes.process_id Processes.user Processes.process_name
| `drop_dm_object_name(Processes)`
| `security_content_ctime(firstTime)`
| `security_content_ctime(lastTime)`
| `windows_mustang_panda_usb_tool_execution_filter`
Implementation guide
The detection is based on data that originates from Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) agents. These agents are designed to provide security-related telemetry from the endpoints where the agent is installed. To implement this search, you must ingest logs that contain the process GUID, process name, and parent process. Additionally, you must ingest complete command-line executions. These logs must be processed using the appropriate Splunk Technology Add-ons that are specific to the EDR product. The logs must also be mapped to the Processes node of the Endpoint data model. Use the Splunk Common Information Model (CIM) to normalize the field names and speed up the data modeling process.
Known false positives
- Some legitimate tools may be run from external drives or non-C:\ locations for maintenance or portability. Adjust filters accordingly to avoid false alerts for approved usage scenarios.
Analyst notes
Known false positives: Some legitimate tools may be run from external drives or non-C:\ locations for maintenance or portability. Adjust filters accordingly to avoid false alerts for approved usage scenarios.