High Mean of Process Arguments in an RDP Session

calendar May 28, 2024 · Use Case: Lateral Movement Detection Rule Type: ML Rule Type: Machine Learning Tactic: Lateral Movement  ·
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A machine learning job has detected unusually high number of process arguments in an RDP session. Executing sophisticated attacks such as lateral movement can involve the use of complex commands, obfuscation mechanisms, redirection and piping, which in turn increases the number of arguments in a command.

Elastic rule (View on GitHub)

 1[metadata]
 2creation_date = "2023/10/12"
 3integration = ["lmd", "endpoint"]
 4maturity = "production"
 5updated_date = "2024/05/21"
 6
 7[rule]
 8anomaly_threshold = 70
 9author = ["Elastic"]
10description = """
11A machine learning job has detected unusually high number of process arguments in an RDP session. Executing
12sophisticated attacks such as lateral movement can involve the use of complex commands, obfuscation mechanisms,
13redirection and piping, which in turn increases the number of arguments in a command.
14"""
15from = "now-12h"
16interval = "15m"
17license = "Elastic License v2"
18machine_learning_job_id = "lmd_high_mean_rdp_process_args"
19name = "High Mean of Process Arguments in an RDP Session"
20references = [
21    "https://www.elastic.co/guide/en/security/current/prebuilt-ml-jobs.html",
22    "https://docs.elastic.co/en/integrations/lmd",
23    "https://www.elastic.co/blog/detecting-lateral-movement-activity-a-new-kibana-integration",
24    "https://www.elastic.co/blog/remote-desktop-protocol-connections-elastic-security",
25]
26risk_score = 21
27rule_id = "36c48a0c-c63a-4cbc-aee1-8cac87db31a9"
28setup = """## Setup
29
30The rule requires the Lateral Movement Detection integration assets to be installed, as well as file and Windows RDP process events collected by the Elastic Defend integration.  
31
32### Lateral Movement Detection Setup
33The Lateral Movement Detection integration detects lateral movement activity by identifying abnormalities in file and Windows RDP events. Anomalies are detected using Elastic's Anomaly Detection feature.
34
35#### Prerequisite Requirements:
36- Fleet is required for Lateral Movement Detection.
37- To configure Fleet Server refer to the [documentation](https://www.elastic.co/guide/en/fleet/current/fleet-server.html).
38- Windows RDP process events collected by the [Elastic Defend](https://docs.elastic.co/en/integrations/endpoint) integration.
39- To install Elastic Defend, refer to the [documentation](https://www.elastic.co/guide/en/security/current/install-endpoint.html).
40
41#### The following steps should be executed to install assets associated with the Lateral Movement Detection integration:
42- Go to the Kibana homepage. Under Management, click Integrations.
43- In the query bar, search for Lateral Movement Detection and select the integration to see more details about it.
44- Follow the instructions under the **Installation** section.
45- For this rule to work, complete the instructions through **Add preconfigured anomaly detection jobs**.
46"""
47severity = "low"
48tags = [
49    "Use Case: Lateral Movement Detection",
50    "Rule Type: ML",
51    "Rule Type: Machine Learning",
52    "Tactic: Lateral Movement",
53]
54type = "machine_learning"
55[[rule.threat]]
56framework = "MITRE ATT&CK"
57[[rule.threat.technique]]
58id = "T1210"
59name = "Exploitation of Remote Services"
60reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1210/"
61
62
63[rule.threat.tactic]
64id = "TA0008"
65name = "Lateral Movement"
66reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0008/"

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