File and Directory Permissions Modification

Identifies the change of permissions/ownership of files/folders through built-in Windows utilities. Threat actors may require permission modification of files/folders to change, modify or delete them.

Rule type: eql
Rule indices:

• logs-endpoint.events.process-*

Rule Severity: low
Risk Score: 21
Runs every: 60m
Searches indices from: now-119m
Maximum alerts per execution: ?
References:

Tags:

• Domain: Endpoint
• OS: Windows
• Use Case: Threat Detection
• Tactic: Defense Evasion
• Rule Type: BBR
• Data Source: Elastic Defend

Version: ?
Rule authors:

• Elastic

Rule license: Elastic License v2

process where event.type == "start" and host.os.type == "windows" and
(
  ((process.name: "icacls.exe" or process.pe.original_file_name == "iCACLS.EXE") and process.args: ("*:F", "/reset", "/setowner", "*grant*")) or
  ((process.name: "cacls.exe" or process.pe.original_file_name == "CACLS.EXE") and process.args: ("/g", "*:f")) or
  ((process.name: "takeown.exe" or process.pe.original_file_name == "takeown.exe") and process.args: ("/F")) or
  ((process.name: "attrib.exe" or process.pe.original_file_name== "ATTRIB.EXE") and process.args: "-r")
) and not user.id : "S-1-5-18" and
not (
  process.args : ("C:\\ProgramData\\Lenovo\\*", "C:\\ProgramData\\Adobe\\*", "C:\\ProgramData\\ASUS\\ASUS*")
)

Framework: MITRE ATT&CK

• Tactic:

  • Name: Defense Evasion
  • Id: TA0005
  • Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0005/

• Technique:

  • Name: File and Directory Permissions Modification
  • Id: T1222
  • Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1222/

• Sub Technique:

  • Name: Windows File and Directory Permissions Modification
  • Id: T1222.001
  • Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1222/001/