Windows EventLog Recon Activity Using Log Query Utilities
This analytic detects EventLog reconnaissance activity using utilities such as `wevtutil.exe`, `wmic.exe`, PowerShell cmdlets like `Get-WinEvent`, or WMI queries targeting `Win32_NTLogEvent`. It leverages data from Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) agents, focusing on process names and command-line arguments. These tools are often used by adversaries to extract usernames, IP addresses, session data, and event information for credential access or situational awareness during lateral movement. While these utilities are legitimate, execution with specific arguments or targeting sensitive logs like `Security`, `PowerShell`, or specific EventIDs (e.g., 4624, 4778) can indicate malicious intent. If confirmed malicious, this behavior could allow an attacker to extract sensitive info and potentially have leveraged access or move laterally.
| tstats `security_content_summariesonly` values(Processes.process) as process
min(_time) as firstTime max(_time) as lastTime
from datamodel=Endpoint.Processes
where (
(
(
Processes.process_name IN ("powershell.exe", "pwsh.exe", "powershell_ise.exe")
OR
Processes.original_file_name IN ("PowerShell.EXE", "pwsh.dll", "powershell_ise.EXE")
)
Processes.process IN ("*Get-WinEvent*", "*Get-EventLog*", "*EventLogQuery*", "*.ReadEvent(*")
)
OR
(
(
Processes.process_name = wevtutil.exe
OR
Processes.original_file_name = wevtutil.exe
)
Processes.process IN ("* qe *", "* query-events *")
)
OR
(
(
Processes.process_name = wmic.exe
OR
Processes.original_file_name = wmic.exe
)
Processes.process IN ("*ntevent*")
)
OR
(
Processes.process="*Win32_NTLogEvent*"
Processes.process="*EventCode*"
)
OR
(
Processes.process IN ("*PsLogList*", "*Eventquery*")
)
)
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)`
| `windows_eventlog_recon_activity_using_log_query_utilities_filter`