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sigmamediumHunting

New Kernel Driver Via SC.EXE

Detects creation of a new service (kernel driver) with the type "kernel"

MITRE ATT&CK

T1543.003
persistenceprivilege-escalation

Detection Query

selection:
  Image|endswith: \sc.exe
  CommandLine|contains:
    - create
    - config
  CommandLine|contains|all:
    - binPath
    - type
    - kernel
filter_optional_avira_driver:
  - CommandLine|contains|all:
      - create netprotection_network_filter
      - "type= kernel start= "
      - binPath= System32\drivers\netprotection_network_filter
      - DisplayName= netprotection_network_filter
      - group= PNP_TDI tag= yes
  - CommandLine|contains|all:
      - create avelam binpath=C:\Windows\system32\drivers\avelam.sys
      - type=kernel start=boot error=critical group=Early-Launch
condition: selection and not 1 of filter_optional_*

Author

Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)

Created

2022-07-14

Data Sources

windowsProcess Creation Events

Platforms

windows

References

Tags

attack.persistenceattack.privilege-escalationattack.t1543.003
Raw Content
title: New Kernel Driver Via SC.EXE
id: 431a1fdb-4799-4f3b-91c3-a683b003fc49
status: test
description: Detects creation of a new service (kernel driver) with the type "kernel"
references:
    - https://www.aon.com/cyber-solutions/aon_cyber_labs/yours-truly-signed-av-driver-weaponizing-an-antivirus-driver/
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2022-07-14
modified: 2025-10-07
tags:
    - attack.persistence
    - attack.privilege-escalation
    - attack.t1543.003
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        Image|endswith: '\sc.exe'
        CommandLine|contains:
            - 'create'
            - 'config'
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - 'binPath'
            - 'type'
            - 'kernel'
    filter_optional_avira_driver:
        - CommandLine|contains|all:
              - 'create netprotection_network_filter'
              - 'type= kernel start= '
              - 'binPath= System32\drivers\netprotection_network_filter'
              - 'DisplayName= netprotection_network_filter'
              - 'group= PNP_TDI tag= yes'
        - CommandLine|contains|all:
              - 'create avelam binpath=C:\Windows\system32\drivers\avelam.sys'
              - 'type=kernel start=boot error=critical group=Early-Launch'
    condition: selection and not 1 of filter_optional_*
falsepositives:
    - Rare legitimate installation of kernel drivers via sc.exe
level: medium