sigmalowHunting

Mstsc.EXE Execution With Local RDP File

Detects potential RDP connection via Mstsc using a local ".rdp" file

MITRE ATT&CK

command-and-control

Detection Query

selection_img:
  - Image|endswith: \mstsc.exe
  - OriginalFileName: mstsc.exe
selection_cli:
  CommandLine|endswith:
    - .rdp
    - .rdp"
filter_optional_wsl:
  ParentImage: C:\Windows\System32\lxss\wslhost.exe
  CommandLine|contains: C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\WSL\wslg.rdp
condition: all of selection_* and not 1 of filter_optional_*

Author

Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), Christopher Peacock @securepeacock

Created

2023-04-18

Data Sources

windowsProcess Creation Events

Platforms

windows

References

Tags

attack.command-and-controlattack.t1219.002

Raw Content

title: Mstsc.EXE Execution With Local RDP File
id: 5fdce3ac-e7f9-4ecd-a3aa-a4d78ebbf0af
status: test
description: Detects potential RDP connection via Mstsc using a local ".rdp" file
references:
    - https://www.blackhillsinfosec.com/rogue-rdp-revisiting-initial-access-methods/
    - https://web.archive.org/web/20230726144748/https://blog.thickmints.dev/mintsights/detecting-rogue-rdp/
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), Christopher Peacock @securepeacock
date: 2023-04-18
modified: 2023-04-30
tags:
    - attack.command-and-control
    - attack.t1219.002
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_img:
        - Image|endswith: '\mstsc.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'mstsc.exe'
    selection_cli:
        CommandLine|endswith:
            - '.rdp'
            - '.rdp"'
    filter_optional_wsl:
        ParentImage: 'C:\Windows\System32\lxss\wslhost.exe'
        CommandLine|contains: 'C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\WSL\wslg.rdp'
    condition: all of selection_* and not 1 of filter_optional_*
falsepositives:
    - Likely with legitimate usage of ".rdp" files
level: low