splunk_escuHunting

CMD Carry Out String Command Parameter

The following analytic detects the use of `cmd.exe /c` to execute commands, a technique often employed by adversaries and malware to run batch commands or invoke other shells like PowerShell. This detection leverages data from Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) agents, focusing on command-line executions and process metadata. Monitoring this activity is crucial as it can indicate script-based attacks or unauthorized command execution. If confirmed malicious, this behavior could lead to unauthorized code execution, privilege escalation, or persistence within the environment.

MITRE ATT&CK

T1059.003

execution

Detection Query

| tstats `security_content_summariesonly` min(_time) as firstTime max(_time) as lastTime FROM datamodel=Endpoint.Processes
  WHERE `process_cmd`
    AND
    Processes.process IN ("*/c*", "*/k*")
  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)`
| `cmd_carry_out_string_command_parameter_filter`

Author

Teoderick Contreras, Bhavin Patel, Splunk

Created

2026-03-26

Data Sources

Sysmon EventID 1Windows Event Log Security 4688CrowdStrike ProcessRollup2

References

Tags

StealC StealerPlugXWarzone RATData DestructionWinter VivernWhisperGateProxyNotShellDarkGate MalwareChaos RansomwareHermetic WiperQuasar RATRhysida RansomwareDarkCrystal RATQakbotIcedIDCISA AA23-347AAzorultLiving Off The LandCrypto StealerMalicious Inno Setup LoaderNjRATAsyncRATRedLine StealerLog4Shell CVE-2021-44228Interlock Rat0bj3ctivity StealerGh0st RAT

Raw Content

name: CMD Carry Out String Command Parameter
id: 54a6ed00-3256-11ec-b031-acde48001122
version: 18
date: '2026-03-26'
author: Teoderick Contreras, Bhavin Patel, Splunk
status: production
type: Hunting
description: The following analytic detects the use of `cmd.exe /c` to execute commands, a technique often employed by adversaries and malware to run batch commands or invoke other shells like PowerShell. This detection leverages data from Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) agents, focusing on command-line executions and process metadata. Monitoring this activity is crucial as it can indicate script-based attacks or unauthorized command execution. If confirmed malicious, this behavior could lead to unauthorized code execution, privilege escalation, or persistence within the environment.
data_source:
    - Sysmon EventID 1
    - Windows Event Log Security 4688
    - CrowdStrike ProcessRollup2
search: |-
    | tstats `security_content_summariesonly` min(_time) as firstTime max(_time) as lastTime FROM datamodel=Endpoint.Processes
      WHERE `process_cmd`
        AND
        Processes.process IN ("*/c*", "*/k*")
      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)`
    | `cmd_carry_out_string_command_parameter_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 high based on legitimate scripted code in any environment. Filter as needed.
references:
    - https://thedfirreport.com/2021/10/18/icedid-to-xinglocker-ransomware-in-24-hours/
    - https://www.microsoft.com/security/blog/2022/01/15/destructive-malware-targeting-ukrainian-organizations/
tags:
    analytic_story:
        - StealC Stealer
        - PlugX
        - Warzone RAT
        - Data Destruction
        - Winter Vivern
        - WhisperGate
        - ProxyNotShell
        - DarkGate Malware
        - Chaos Ransomware
        - Hermetic Wiper
        - Quasar RAT
        - Rhysida Ransomware
        - DarkCrystal RAT
        - Qakbot
        - IcedID
        - CISA AA23-347A
        - Azorult
        - Living Off The Land
        - Crypto Stealer
        - Malicious Inno Setup Loader
        - NjRAT
        - AsyncRAT
        - RedLine Stealer
        - Log4Shell CVE-2021-44228
        - Interlock Rat
        - 0bj3ctivity Stealer
        - Gh0st RAT
    asset_type: Endpoint
    cve:
        - CVE-2021-44228
    mitre_attack_id:
        - T1059.003
    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/malware/icedid/cmd_carry_str_param/sysmon.log
          source: XmlWinEventLog:Microsoft-Windows-Sysmon/Operational
          sourcetype: XmlWinEventLog