ESXi VM Kill Via ESXCLI
Detects execution of the "esxcli" command with the "vm" and "kill" flag in order to kill/shutdown a specific VM.
Detection logic
Detection requirements
- Platform
- ESXiLinuxmacOSNetwork DevicesWindows
The rule states no platform. This is derived from the 2 ATT&CK techniques it maps to.
- Log source product
- linux
- Log source category
- process_creation
Known benign triggers
- Legitimate administration activities
MITRE ATT&CK mappings
0 exclusive techniques.This is coverage no other published rule has; it is not this rule's total technique count.
References
| Reference | Cited by |
|---|---|
| developer.broadcom.com/xapis/esxcli-command-reference/7.0.0/namespace/esxcli_vm.html | 2 |
| www.crowdstrike.com/blog/hypervisor-jackpotting-ecrime-actors-increase-targeting-of-esxi-servers/ | 4 |
| www.secuinfra.com/en/techtalk/hide-your-hypervisor-analysis-of-esxiargs-ransomware/ | 2 |
| www.trendmicro.com/en_us/research/22/e/new-linux-based-ransomware-cheerscrypt-targets-exsi-devices.html | 2 |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- 2992ac4d-31e9-4325-99f2-b18a73221bb2
- Tagged by the source as
- attack.executionattack.impact
Licence
- Published under
- Detection Rule License 1.1Read the licence
- Attribution
- Required
Authorship
- Published
- Aug 26, 2026
- Version
- 1