splunk-security_content/detections/endpoint/cmd_carry_out_string_command_parameter.yml

name: CMD Carry Out String Command Parameter
id: 54a6ed00-3256-11ec-b031-acde48001122
version: 15
date: '2025-08-22'
author: Teoderick Contreras, Bhavin Patel, Splunk
status: production
type: Hunting
description: The following analytic detects the use of `cmd.exe /c` to execute 
  commands, a technique often employed by adversaries and malware to run batch 
  commands or invoke other shells like PowerShell. This detection leverages data
  from Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) agents, focusing on command-line 
  executions and process metadata. Monitoring this activity is crucial as it can
  indicate script-based attacks or unauthorized command execution. If confirmed 
  malicious, this behavior could lead to unauthorized code execution, privilege 
  escalation, or persistence within the environment.
data_source:
- Sysmon EventID 1
- Windows Event Log Security 4688
- CrowdStrike ProcessRollup2
search: '| tstats `security_content_summariesonly` min(_time) as firstTime max(_time)
  as lastTime from datamodel=Endpoint.Processes where `process_cmd` AND Processes.process
  IN ("*/c*", "*/k*") by Processes.action Processes.dest Processes.original_file_name
  Processes.parent_process Processes.parent_process_exec Processes.parent_process_guid
  Processes.parent_process_id Processes.parent_process_name Processes.parent_process_path
  Processes.process Processes.process_exec Processes.process_guid Processes.process_hash
  Processes.process_id Processes.process_integrity_level Processes.process_name Processes.process_path
  Processes.user Processes.user_id Processes.vendor_product | `drop_dm_object_name(Processes)`
  | `security_content_ctime(firstTime)` | `security_content_ctime(lastTime)` | `cmd_carry_out_string_command_parameter_filter`'
how_to_implement: 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: False positives may be high based on legitimate scripted 
  code in any environment. Filter as needed.
references:
- https://thedfirreport.com/2021/10/18/icedid-to-xinglocker-ransomware-in-24-hours/
- https://www.microsoft.com/security/blog/2022/01/15/destructive-malware-targeting-ukrainian-organizations/
tags:
  analytic_story:
  - PlugX
  - Warzone RAT
  - Data Destruction
  - Winter Vivern
  - WhisperGate
  - ProxyNotShell
  - DarkGate Malware
  - Chaos Ransomware
  - Hermetic Wiper
  - Quasar RAT
  - Rhysida Ransomware
  - DarkCrystal RAT
  - Qakbot
  - IcedID
  - CISA AA23-347A
  - Azorult
  - Living Off The Land
  - Crypto Stealer
  - Malicious Inno Setup Loader
  - NjRAT
  - AsyncRAT
  - RedLine Stealer
  - Log4Shell CVE-2021-44228
  - Interlock Rat
  - 0bj3ctivity Stealer
  asset_type: Endpoint
  cve:
  - CVE-2021-44228
  mitre_attack_id:
  - T1059.003
  product:
  - Splunk Enterprise
  - Splunk Enterprise Security
  - Splunk Cloud
  security_domain: endpoint
tests:
- name: True Positive Test
  attack_data:
  - data: 
      https://media.githubusercontent.com/media/splunk/attack_data/master/datasets/malware/icedid/cmd_carry_str_param/sysmon.log
    source: XmlWinEventLog:Microsoft-Windows-Sysmon/Operational
    sourcetype: XmlWinEventLog