execution_settingcontent_ms_file_creation.toml

[metadata]
bypass_bbr_timing = true
creation_date = "2023/08/24"
integration = ["endpoint", "windows"]
maturity = "production"
updated_date = "2024/10/28"
min_stack_version = "8.14.0"
min_stack_comments = "Breaking change at 8.14.0 for the Windows Integration."

[rule]
author = ["Elastic"]
building_block_type = "default"
description = """
Identifies the suspicious creation of SettingContents-ms files, which have been used in attacks to achieve code
execution while evading defenses.
"""
from = "now-9m"
index = ["logs-endpoint.events.file-*", "logs-windows.sysmon_operational-*", "endgame-*", "winlogbeat-*"]
language = "eql"
license = "Elastic License v2"
name = "Creation of SettingContent-ms Files"
references = ["https://posts.specterops.io/the-tale-of-settingcontent-ms-files-f1ea253e4d39"]
risk_score = 21
rule_id = "1e6363a6-3af5-41d4-b7ea-d475389c0ceb"
severity = "low"
tags = [
    "Domain: Endpoint",
    "OS: Windows",
    "Use Case: Threat Detection",
    "Tactic: Execution",
    "Data Source: Elastic Defend",
    "Rule Type: BBR",
    "Data Source: Sysmon",
    "Data Source: Elastic Endgame"
]
timestamp_override = "event.ingested"
type = "eql"

query = '''
file where host.os.type == "windows" and event.type == "creation" and
  file.extension : "settingcontent-ms" and
  not file.path : (
    "?:\\*\\AppData\\Local\\Packages\\windows.immersivecontrolpanel_*\\LocalState\\Indexed\\Settings\\*",
    "\\Device\\HarddiskVolume*\\Windows\\WinSxS\\amd64_microsoft-windows-s..*\\*.settingcontent-ms"
  )
'''


[[rule.threat]]
framework = "MITRE ATT&CK"
[[rule.threat.technique]]
id = "T1204"
name = "User Execution"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1204/"
[[rule.threat.technique.subtechnique]]
id = "T1204.002"
name = "Malicious File"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1204/002/"



[rule.threat.tactic]
id = "TA0002"
name = "Execution"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0002/"
[[rule.threat]]
framework = "MITRE ATT&CK"
[[rule.threat.technique]]
id = "T1566"
name = "Phishing"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1566/"
[[rule.threat.technique.subtechnique]]
id = "T1566.001"
name = "Spearphishing Attachment"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1566/001/"



[rule.threat.tactic]
id = "TA0001"
name = "Initial Access"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0001/"