Sigma Rule Library

Shell Process Spawned by Java.EXE

Detects shell spawned from Java host process, which could be a sign of exploitation (e.g. log4j exploitation)

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Detection logic

selection

ParentImage|endswith: \java.exe
Image|endswith:
  - \bash.exe
  - \cmd.exe
  - \powershell.exe
  - \pwsh.exe

filter_main_build

ParentImage|contains: build
CommandLine|contains: build

Condition

selection and not 1 of filter_main_*

Raw YAML

title: Shell Process Spawned by Java.EXE
id: dff1e1cc-d3fd-47c8-bfc2-aeb878a754c0
related:
    - id: 0d34ed8b-1c12-4ff2-828c-16fc860b766d
      type: similar
status: test
description: Detects shell spawned from Java host process, which could be a sign of exploitation (e.g. log4j exploitation)
references:
    - https://web.archive.org/web/20231230220738/https://www.lunasec.io/docs/blog/log4j-zero-day/
author: Andreas Hunkeler (@Karneades), Nasreddine Bencherchali
date: 2021-12-17
modified: 2024-01-18
tags:
    - attack.initial-access
    - attack.persistence
    - attack.privilege-escalation
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        ParentImage|endswith: '\java.exe'
        Image|endswith:
            - '\bash.exe'
            - '\cmd.exe'
            - '\powershell.exe'
            - '\pwsh.exe'
    filter_main_build:
        ParentImage|contains: 'build'  # excluding CI build agents
        CommandLine|contains: 'build'  # excluding CI build agents
    condition: selection and not 1 of filter_main_*
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate calls to system binaries
    - Company specific internal usage
level: medium

False positives

  • Legitimate calls to system binaries
  • Company specific internal usage

References

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