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splunk-security_content/dev/endpoint/certutil_with_decode_argument.yml
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2023-09-11 11:20:03 -06:00

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name: CertUtil With Decode Argument
id: bfe94226-8c10-11eb-a4b3-acde48001122
version: 2
date: '2021-03-23'
author: Michael Haag, Splunk
status: production
type: TTP
description: CertUtil.exe may be used to `encode` and `decode` a file, including PE
and script code. Encoding will convert a file to base64 with `-----BEGIN CERTIFICATE-----`
and `-----END CERTIFICATE-----` tags. Malicious usage will include decoding a encoded
file that was downloaded. Once decoded, it will be loaded by a parallel process.
Note that there are two additional command switches that may be used - `encodehex`
and `decodehex`. Similarly, the file will be encoded in HEX and later decoded for
further execution. During triage, identify the source of the file being decoded.
Review its contents or execution behavior for further analysis.
data_source:
- Sysmon Event ID 1
search:
selection1:
OriginalFileName: CertUtil.exe
selection2:
Image|endswith: certutil.exe
selection3:
CommandLine: '*decode*'
condition: (selection1 or selection2) and selection3
how_to_implement: To successfully implement this search you need to be ingesting information
on process that include the name of the process responsible for the changes from
your endpoints into the `Endpoint` datamodel in the `Processes` node. In addition,
confirm the latest CIM App 4.20 or higher is installed and the latest TA for the
endpoint product.
known_false_positives: Typically seen used to `encode` files, but it is possible to
see legitimate use of `decode`. Filter based on parent-child relationship, file
paths, endpoint or user.
references:
- https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1140/
- https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/master/atomics/T1140/T1140.md
- https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/certutil
- https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/certutilexe-could-allow-attackers-to-download-malware-while-bypassing-av/
tags:
analytic_story:
- Deobfuscate-Decode Files or Information
- Living Off The Land
- Forest Blizzard
asset_type: Endpoint
confidence: 80
impact: 50
message: An instance of $parent_process_name$ spawning $process_name$ was identified
on endpoint $dest$ by user $user$ attempting to decode a file.
mitre_attack_id:
- T1140
observable:
- name: user
type: User
role:
- Victim
- name: dest
type: Hostname
role:
- Victim
- name: parent_process_name
type: Process
role:
- Parent Process
- name: process_name
type: Process
role:
- Child Process
product:
- Splunk Enterprise
- Splunk Enterprise Security
- Splunk Cloud
risk_score: 40
security_domain: endpoint
tests:
- name: True Positive Test
attack_data:
- data: https://media.githubusercontent.com/media/splunk/attack_data/master/datasets/attack_techniques/T1140/atomic_red_team/windows-sysmon.log
source: XmlWinEventLog:Microsoft-Windows-Sysmon/Operational
sourcetype: xmlwineventlog