Windows Service Create Kernel Mode Driver

name: Windows Service Create Kernel Mode Driver
id: 0b4e3b06-1b2b-4885-b752-cf06d12a90cb
version: 11
date: '2026-03-26'
author: Michael Haag, Teoderick Contreras Splunk
status: production
type: TTP
description: The following analytic identifies the creation of a new kernel mode driver using the sc.exe command. This detection leverages data from Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) agents, focusing on process execution logs that include command-line details. The activity is significant because adding a kernel driver is uncommon in regular operations and can indicate an attempt to gain low-level access to the system. If confirmed malicious, this could allow an attacker to execute code with high privileges, potentially compromising the entire system and evading traditional security measures.
data_source:
    - Sysmon EventID 1
    - Windows Event Log Security 4688
    - CrowdStrike ProcessRollup2
search: |
    | tstats `security_content_summariesonly` count min(_time) as firstTime max(_time) as lastTime from datamodel=Endpoint.Processes
      where (Processes.process_name=sc.exe OR Processes.original_file_name=sc.exe) Processes.process="*create*" Processes.process IN ("*kernel*", "*filesys*") Processes.process="*type*"
    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_service_create_kernel_mode_driver_filter`
how_to_implement: The detection is based on data that originates from Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) agents. These agents are designed to provide security-related telemetry from the endpoints where the agent is installed. To implement this search, you must ingest logs that contain the process GUID, process name, and parent process. Additionally, you must ingest complete command-line executions. These logs must be processed using the appropriate Splunk Technology Add-ons that are specific to the EDR product. The logs must also be mapped to the `Processes` node of the `Endpoint` data model. Use the Splunk Common Information Model (CIM) to normalize the field names and speed up the data modeling process.
known_false_positives: False positives may be present based on common applications adding new drivers, however, filter as needed.
references:
    - https://www.aon.com/cyber-solutions/aon_cyber_labs/yours-truly-signed-av-driver-weaponizing-an-antivirus-driver/
    - https://whiteknightlabs.com/2025/11/25/discreet-driver-loading-in-windows/
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/sc-config
drilldown_searches:
    - name: View the detection results for - "$user$" and "$dest$"
      search: '%original_detection_search% | search  user = "$user$" dest = "$dest$"'
      earliest_offset: $info_min_time$
      latest_offset: $info_max_time$
    - name: View risk events for the last 7 days for - "$user$" and "$dest$"
      search: '| from datamodel Risk.All_Risk | search normalized_risk_object IN ("$user$", "$dest$") starthoursago=168  | stats count min(_time) as firstTime max(_time) as lastTime values(search_name) as "Search Name" values(risk_message) as "Risk Message" values(analyticstories) as "Analytic Stories" values(annotations._all) as "Annotations" values(annotations.mitre_attack.mitre_tactic) as "ATT&CK Tactics" by normalized_risk_object | `security_content_ctime(firstTime)` | `security_content_ctime(lastTime)`'
      earliest_offset: $info_min_time$
      latest_offset: $info_max_time$
rba:
    message: Service control, $process_name$, loaded a new kernel mode driver on $dest$ by $user$.
    risk_objects:
        - field: user
          type: user
          score: 50
        - field: dest
          type: system
          score: 50
    threat_objects: []
tags:
    analytic_story:
        - Windows Drivers
        - CISA AA22-320A
    asset_type: Endpoint
    mitre_attack_id:
        - T1068
        - T1543.003
    product:
        - Splunk Enterprise
        - Splunk Enterprise Security
        - Splunk Cloud
    security_domain: endpoint
tests:
    - name: True Positive Test
      attack_data:
        - data: https://media.githubusercontent.com/media/splunk/attack_data/master/datasets/attack_techniques/T1068/drivers/sc_kernel.log
          source: XmlWinEventLog:Microsoft-Windows-Sysmon/Operational
          sourcetype: XmlWinEventLog