sigmamediumHunting

Python Path Configuration File Creation - Windows

Detects creation of a Python path configuration file (.pth) in Python library folders, which can be maliciously abused for code execution and persistence. Modules referenced by these files are run at every Python startup (v3.5+), regardless of whether the module is imported by the calling script. Default paths are '\lib\site-packages\*.pth' (Windows) and '/lib/pythonX.Y/site-packages/*.pth' (Unix and macOS).

MITRE ATT&CK

T1059.006

execution

Detection Query

selection:
  TargetFilename|re: (?i)\\(venv|python(.+)?)\\lib\\site-packages\\
  TargetFilename|endswith: .pth
filter_main_python:
  Image|endswith: \python.exe
  TargetFilename|endswith:
    - \pywin32.pth
    - \distutils-precedence.pth
condition: selection and not 1 of filter_main_*

Author

Andreas Braathen (mnemonic.io), Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)

Created

2024-04-25

Data Sources

windowsFile Events

Platforms

windows

References

Tags

attack.executionattack.t1059.006detection.threat-hunting

Raw Content

title: Python Path Configuration File Creation - Windows
id: e3652ba3-0ad8-4010-a957-b7ba369e7bac
related:
    - id: fb96c26c-9f85-4ae7-af0d-ed1ed1f1f5ce # Linux
      type: similar
    - id: 4f394635-13ef-4599-b677-3353e0f84f55 # MacOS
      type: similar
status: test
description: |
    Detects creation of a Python path configuration file (.pth) in Python library folders, which can be maliciously abused for code execution and persistence.
    Modules referenced by these files are run at every Python startup (v3.5+), regardless of whether the module is imported by the calling script.
    Default paths are '\lib\site-packages\*.pth' (Windows) and '/lib/pythonX.Y/site-packages/*.pth' (Unix and macOS).
references:
    - https://www.volexity.com/blog/2024/04/12/zero-day-exploitation-of-unauthenticated-remote-code-execution-vulnerability-in-globalprotect-cve-2024-3400/
    - https://www.virustotal.com/gui/file/3de2a4392b8715bad070b2ae12243f166ead37830f7c6d24e778985927f9caac
    - https://docs.python.org/3/library/site.html
author: Andreas Braathen (mnemonic.io), Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2024-04-25
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.t1059.006
    - detection.threat-hunting
logsource:
    product: windows
    category: file_event
detection:
    selection:
        TargetFilename|re: '(?i)\\(venv|python(.+)?)\\lib\\site-packages\\' # Covers both Virtual envs and default paths
        TargetFilename|endswith: '.pth'
    filter_main_python:
        Image|endswith: '\python.exe'
        TargetFilename|endswith:
            - '\pywin32.pth' # VS Studio Python extension
            - '\distutils-precedence.pth'
    condition: selection and not 1 of filter_main_*
falsepositives:
    - Although .pth files are discouraged due to potential security implications, these are legitimate files by specification.
level: medium