PowerShell Script with Remote Execution Capabilities via WinRM

Identifies the use of Cmdlets and methods related to remote execution activities using WinRM. Attackers can abuse WinRM to perform lateral movement using built-in tools.

Rule type: query
Rule indices:

• winlogbeat-*
• logs-windows.powershell*

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

• https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1021/006/
• https://github.com/cobbr/SharpSploit/blob/master/SharpSploit/LateralMovement/PowerShellRemoting.cs
• https://github.com/BC-SECURITY/Empire/blob/main/empire/server/modules/powershell/lateral_movement/invoke_psremoting.py

Tags:

• Domain: Endpoint
• OS: Windows
• Use Case: Threat Detection
• Tactic: Lateral Movement
• Tactic: Execution
• Data Source: PowerShell Logs
• Rule Type: BBR

Version: ?
Rule authors:

• Elastic

Rule license: Elastic License v2

The 'PowerShell Script Block Logging' logging policy must be enabled. Steps to implement the logging policy with Advanced Audit Configuration:

Computer Configuration >
Administrative Templates >
Windows PowerShell >
Turn on PowerShell Script Block Logging (Enable)

Steps to implement the logging policy via registry:

reg add "hklm\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\PowerShell\ScriptBlockLogging" /v EnableScriptBlockLogging /t REG_DWORD /d 1

event.category:process and host.os.type:windows and
  powershell.file.script_block_text : (
    ("Invoke-WmiMethod" or "Invoke-Command" or "Enter-PSSession") and "ComputerName"
  ) and
  not user.id : "S-1-5-18" and
  not file.directory : (
    "C:\\Program Files\\LogicMonitor\\Agent\\tmp" or
    "C:\\Program Files\\WindowsPowerShell\\Modules\\icinga-powershell-framework\\cache" or
    "C:\\Program Files\\WindowsPowerShell\\Modules\\SmartCardTools\\1.2.2"
  ) and not
  powershell.file.script_block_text : (
    "Export-ModuleMember -Function @('Invoke-Expression''Invoke-Command')" and
    "function Invoke-Command {"
  )

Framework: MITRE ATT&CK

• Tactic:

  • Name: Lateral Movement
  • Id: TA0008
  • Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0008/

• Technique:

  • Name: Remote Services
  • Id: T1021
  • Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1021/

• Sub Technique:

  • Name: Windows Remote Management
  • Id: T1021.006
  • Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1021/006/

Framework: MITRE ATT&CK

• Tactic:

  • Name: Execution
  • Id: TA0002
  • Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0002/

• Technique:

  • Name: Command and Scripting Interpreter
  • Id: T1059
  • Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1059/

• Sub Technique:

  • Name: PowerShell
  • Id: T1059.001
  • Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1059/001/