Detection: Powershell Using memory As Backing Store

Updated Date: 2024-05-26 ID: c396a0c4-c9f2-11eb-b4f5-acde48001122 Author: Teoderick Contreras, Splunk Type: TTP Product: Splunk Enterprise Security

Description

The following analytic detects suspicious PowerShell script execution using memory streams as a backing store, identified via EventCode 4104. It leverages PowerShell Script Block Logging to capture scripts that create new objects with memory streams, often used to decompress and execute payloads in memory. This activity is significant as it indicates potential in-memory execution of malicious code, bypassing traditional file-based detection. If confirmed malicious, this technique could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code, maintain persistence, or escalate privileges without leaving a trace on the disk.

1`powershell` EventCode=4104 ScriptBlockText = *New-Object* ScriptBlockText = *IO.MemoryStream* 
2| stats count min(_time) as firstTime max(_time) as lastTime by EventCode ScriptBlockText Computer UserID 
3| rename Computer as dest 
4| rename UserID as user 
5| `security_content_ctime(firstTime)` 
6| `security_content_ctime(lastTime)` 
7| `powershell_using_memory_as_backing_store_filter`

Data Source

Name Platform Sourcetype Source Supported App
Powershell Script Block Logging 4104 Windows icon Windows 'xmlwineventlog' 'XmlWinEventLog:Microsoft-Windows-PowerShell/Operational' N/A

Macros Used

Name Value
powershell (source=WinEventLog:Microsoft-Windows-PowerShell/Operational OR source="XmlWinEventLog:Microsoft-Windows-PowerShell/Operational")
powershell_using_memory_as_backing_store_filter search *
powershell_using_memory_as_backing_store_filter is an empty macro by default. It allows the user to filter out any results (false positives) without editing the SPL.

Annotations

- MITRE ATT&CK
+ Kill Chain Phases
+ NIST
+ CIS
- Threat Actors
ID Technique Tactic
T1059.001 PowerShell Execution
T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter Execution
KillChainPhase.INSTALLATION
NistCategory.DE_CM
Cis18Value.CIS_10
APT19
APT28
APT29
APT3
APT32
APT33
APT38
APT39
APT41
APT5
Aquatic Panda
BRONZE BUTLER
Blue Mockingbird
Chimera
Cinnamon Tempest
Cobalt Group
Confucius
CopyKittens
DarkHydrus
DarkVishnya
Deep Panda
Dragonfly
Earth Lusca
Ember Bear
FIN10
FIN13
FIN6
FIN7
FIN8
Fox Kitten
GALLIUM
GOLD SOUTHFIELD
Gallmaker
Gamaredon Group
Gorgon Group
HAFNIUM
HEXANE
Inception
Indrik Spider
Kimsuky
Lazarus Group
LazyScripter
Leviathan
Magic Hound
Molerats
MoustachedBouncer
MuddyWater
Mustang Panda
Nomadic Octopus
OilRig
Patchwork
Poseidon Group
Sandworm Team
Sidewinder
Silence
Stealth Falcon
TA2541
TA459
TA505
TeamTNT
Threat Group-3390
Thrip
ToddyCat
Tonto Team
Turla
Volt Typhoon
WIRTE
Wizard Spider
menuPass
APT19
APT32
APT37
APT39
Dragonfly
FIN5
FIN6
FIN7
Fox Kitten
Ke3chang
OilRig
Stealth Falcon
Whitefly
Windigo

Default Configuration

This detection is configured by default in Splunk Enterprise Security to run with the following settings:

Setting Value
Disabled true
Cron Schedule 0 * * * *
Earliest Time -70m@m
Latest Time -10m@m
Schedule Window auto
Creates Notable Yes
Rule Title %name%
Rule Description %description%
Notable Event Fields user, dest
Creates Risk Event True
This configuration file applies to all detections of type TTP. These detections will use Risk Based Alerting and generate Notable Events.

Implementation

To successfully implement this analytic, you will need to enable PowerShell Script Block Logging on some or all endpoints. Additional setup here https://docs.splunk.com/Documentation/UBA/5.0.4.1/GetDataIn/AddPowerShell#Configure_module_logging_for_PowerShell.

Known False Positives

powershell may used this function to store out object into memory.

Associated Analytic Story

Risk Based Analytics (RBA)

Risk Message Risk Score Impact Confidence
A PowerShell script contains memorystream command on host $dest$. 40 50 80
The Risk Score is calculated by the following formula: Risk Score = (Impact * Confidence/100). Initial Confidence and Impact is set by the analytic author.

References

Detection Testing

Test Type Status Dataset Source Sourcetype
Validation ✅ Passing N/A N/A N/A
Unit ✅ Passing Dataset XmlWinEventLog:Microsoft-Windows-PowerShell/Operational xmlwineventlog
Integration ✅ Passing Dataset XmlWinEventLog:Microsoft-Windows-PowerShell/Operational xmlwineventlog

Replay any dataset to Splunk Enterprise by using our replay.py tool or the UI. Alternatively you can replay a dataset into a Splunk Attack Range

Source: GitHub | Version: 3