sigmamediumHunting

ESXi VM Kill Via ESXCLI

Detects execution of the "esxcli" command with the "vm" and "kill" flag in order to kill/shutdown a specific VM.

MITRE ATT&CK

executionimpact

Detection Query

selection:
  Image|endswith: /esxcli
  CommandLine|contains|all:
    - vm process
    - kill
condition: selection

Author

Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), Cedric Maurugeon

Created

2023-09-04

Data Sources

linuxProcess Creation Events

Platforms

linux

References

Tags

attack.executionattack.impactattack.t1059.012attack.t1529

Raw Content

title: ESXi VM Kill Via ESXCLI
id: 2992ac4d-31e9-4325-99f2-b18a73221bb2
status: test
description: Detects execution of the "esxcli" command with the "vm" and "kill" flag in order to kill/shutdown a specific VM.
references:
    - https://www.crowdstrike.com/blog/hypervisor-jackpotting-ecrime-actors-increase-targeting-of-esxi-servers/
    - https://developer.broadcom.com/xapis/esxcli-command-reference/7.0.0/namespace/esxcli_vm.html
    - https://www.secuinfra.com/en/techtalk/hide-your-hypervisor-analysis-of-esxiargs-ransomware/
    - https://www.trendmicro.com/en_us/research/22/e/new-linux-based-ransomware-cheerscrypt-targets-exsi-devices.html
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), Cedric Maurugeon
date: 2023-09-04
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.impact
    - attack.t1059.012
    - attack.t1529
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: linux
detection:
    selection:
        Image|endswith: '/esxcli'
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - 'vm process'
            - 'kill'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate administration activities
level: medium