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Mimikatz Memssp Log File Detected
editMimikatz Memssp Log File Detected
editIdentifies the password log file from the default Mimikatz memssp module.
Rule type: eql
Rule indices:
- winlogbeat-*
- logs-endpoint.events.*
- logs-windows.*
Severity: high
Risk score: 73
Runs every: 5m
Searches indices from: now-9m (Date Math format, see also Additional look-back time
)
Maximum alerts per execution: 100
References: None
Tags:
- Elastic
- Host
- Windows
- Threat Detection
- Credential Access
Version: 5
Rule authors:
- Elastic
Rule license: Elastic License v2
Investigation guide
edit## Triage and analysis. ### Investigating Mimikatz Memssp Log File Detected [Mimikatz](https://github.com/gentilkiwi/mimikatz) is an open-source tool used to collect, decrypt, and/or use cached credentials. This tool is commonly abused by adversaries during the post-compromise stage where adversaries have gained an initial foothold on an endpoint and are looking to elevate privileges and seek out additional authentication objects such as tokens/hashes/credentials that can then be used to laterally move and pivot across a network. This rule looks for the creation of a file named `mimilsa.log`, which is generated when using the Mimikatz misc::memssp module, which injects a malicious Windows SSP to collect locally authenticated credentials, which includes the computer account password, running service credentials, and any accounts that logon. #### Possible investigation steps - Investigate script execution chain (parent process tree). - Investigate other alerts related to the user/host in the last 48 hours. - Scope potentially compromised accounts. Analysts can do this by searching for login events (e.g., 4624) to the target host. - Retrieve and inspect the log file contents. - By default, the log file is created in the same location as the DLL file. - Search for DLL files created in the location, and retrieve any DLLs that are not signed: - Use the PowerShell Get-FileHash cmdlet to get the SHA-256 hash value of these files. - Search for the existence of these files in resources like VirusTotal, Hybrid-Analysis, CISCO Talos, Any.run, etc. ### False positive analysis - This file name `mimilsa.log` should not legitimately be created. ### Related rules - Mimikatz Powershell Module Activity - ac96ceb8-4399-4191-af1d-4feeac1f1f46 ### Response and remediation - Initiate the incident response process based on the outcome of the triage. - Isolate the involved hosts to prevent further post-compromise behavior. - If the host is a Domain Controller (DC): - Activate your incident response plan for total Active Directory compromise. - Review the permissions of users that can access the DCs. - Reset passwords for all compromised accounts. - Disable remote login for compromised user accounts. - Reboot the host to remove the injected SSP from memory. - Reimage the host operating system or restore compromised files to clean versions. ## Config If enabling an EQL rule on a non-elastic-agent index (such as beats) for versions <8.2, events will not define `event.ingested` and default fallback for EQL rules was not added until 8.2, so you will need to add a custom pipeline to populate `event.ingested` to @timestamp for this rule to work.
Rule query
editfile where file.name : "mimilsa.log" and process.name : "lsass.exe"
Framework: MITRE ATT&CKTM
-
Tactic:
- Name: Credential Access
- ID: TA0006
- Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0006/
-
Technique:
- Name: OS Credential Dumping
- ID: T1003
- Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1003/