Cross-source coverage
T1049 / ATT&CK
System Network Connections Discovery
28 rules across 4 sources.
1 deprecated hidden · include
From MITRE ATT&CK 19.2
Adversaries may attempt to get a listing of network connections to or from the compromised system they are currently accessing or from remote systems by querying for information over the network.
An adversary who gains access to a system that is part of a cloud-based environment may map out Virtual Private Clouds or Virtual Networks in order to determine what systems and services are connected. The actions performed are likely the same types of discovery techniques depending on the operating system, but the resulting information may include details about the networked cloud environment relevant to the adversary's goals. Cloud providers may have different ways in which their virtual networks operate. Similarly, adversaries who gain access to network devices may also perform similar discovery activities to gather information about connected systems and services.
Utilities and commands that acquire this information include netstat, "net use," and "net session" with Net. In Mac and Linux, netstat and lsof can be used to list current connections. who -a and w can be used to show which users are currently logged in, similar to "net session". Additionally, built-in features native to network devices and Network Device CLI may be used (e.g. show ip sockets, show tcp brief). On ESXi servers, the command esxi network ip connection list can be used to list active network connections.
- Tactics
- Discovery
- Platforms
- ESXi · IaaS · Linux · macOS · Network Devices · Windows
- Telemetry
-
WinEventLog:SysmonWinEventLog:PowerShellauditd:SYSCALLlinux:climacos:osqueryesxi:hostdnetworkdevice:clisnmp:trapAWS:CloudTrailazure:activity
How MITRE says to detect it DET0320
Detection of System Network Connections Discovery Across Platforms
Windows Analytic 0903
Detects usage of commands or binaries (e.g., netstat, PowerShell Get-NetTCPConnection) and WMI or API calls to enumerate local or remote network connections.
WinEventLog:SysmonEventCode=1WinEventLog:PowerShellEventCode=4103, 4104, 4105, 4106
Linux Analytic 0904
Detects use of netstat, ss, lsof, or custom shell scripts to list current network connections. Often paired with privilege escalation or staging.
auditd:SYSCALLexecvelinux:clicommand logging
macOS Analytic 0905
Detects shell-based enumeration of active connections using `netstat`, `lsof -i`, or AppleScript-based system discovery.
macos:osqueryprocess_events
ESXi Analytic 0906
Detects shell or API usage of `esxcli network ip connection list` or `netstat` to enumerate ESXi host connections.
esxi:hostdcommand log
Network Devices Analytic 0907
Detects interactive or automated use of CLI commands like `show ip sockets`, `show tcp brief`, or SNMP queries for active sessions on routers/switches.
networkdevice:clicommand logssnmp:trapmanagement queries
IaaS Analytic 0908
Detects enumeration of cloud network interfaces, VPCs, subnets, or peer connections using CLI or SDKs (e.g., AWS CLI, Azure CLI, GCloud CLI).
AWS:CloudTrailDescribe* or List* API callsazure:activitynetworkInsightsLogs
SigmaHQ/sigma
9 rules| Detection | Severity | Format |
|---|---|---|
| HackTool - SharpView Execution | High | Sigma |
| Potential Pikabot Discovery Activity | High | Sigma |
| Cisco Discovery | Low | Sigma |
| Net.EXE Execution | Low | Sigma |
| System Network Connections Discovery - Linux | Low | Sigma |
| System Network Connections Discovery Via Net.EXE | Low | Sigma |
| Use Get-NetTCPConnection | Low | Sigma |
| Use Get-NetTCPConnection - PowerShell Module | Low | Sigma |
| System Network Connections Discovery - MacOs | Informational | Sigma |
splunk/security_content
8 rules| Detection | Severity | Format |
|---|---|---|
| GetNetTcpconnection with PowerShell | Undefined | SPL |
| GetNetTcpconnection with PowerShell Script Block | Undefined | SPL |
| Network Connection Discovery With Arp | Undefined | SPL |
| Network Connection Discovery With Netstat | Undefined | SPL |
| Windows Common Abused Cmd Shell Risk Behavior | Undefined | SPL |
| Windows Network Connection Discovery Via Net | Undefined | SPL |
| Windows Post Exploitation Risk Behavior | Undefined | SPL |
| Windows System Network Connections Discovery Netsh | Undefined | SPL |
elastic/detection-rules
6 rules| Detection | Severity | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Suspicious JetBrains TeamCity Child Process | Medium | Elastic TOML |
| Suspicious MS Office Child Process | Medium | Elastic TOML |
| DNS Enumeration Detected via Defend for Containers | Low | Elastic TOML |
| Enumeration Command Spawned via WMIPrvSE | Low | Elastic TOML |
| Suspicious System Commands Executed by Previously Unknown Executable | Low | Elastic TOML |
| Unusual Linux Network Connection Discovery | Low | Elastic TOML |