splApache-2.0from splunk/security_content

Suspicious GPUpdate no Command Line Arguments

The following analytic detects the execution of gpupdate.exe without any command line arguments. This behavior is identified using data from Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) agents, focusing on process execution logs. It is significant because gpupdate.exe typically runs with specific arguments, and its execution without them is often associated with malicious activities, such as those performed by Cobalt Strike. If confirmed malicious, this activity could indicate an attempt to execute unauthorized commands or scripts, potentially leading to further system compromise or lateral movement within the network.

Quality

FP risk

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Forks

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Rule sourcedetections/endpoint/suspicious_gpupdate_no_command_line_arguments.yml

| tstats `security_content_summariesonly` count FROM datamodel=Endpoint.Processes where
(Processes.process_name=gpupdate.exe OR Processes.original_file_name=GPUpdate.exe)
Processes.process IN ("*gpupdate","*gpupdate.exe", "*gpupdate.exe\"")
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)`
| `suspicious_gpupdate_no_command_line_arguments_filter`