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SQL Client Tools PowerShell Session Detection

This rule detects execution of a PowerShell code through the sqltoolsps.exe utility, which is included in the standard set of utilities supplied with the Microsoft SQL Server Management studio. Script blocks are not…

Description

This rule detects execution of a PowerShell code through the sqltoolsps.exe utility, which is included in the standard set of utilities supplied with the Microsoft SQL Server Management studio. Script blocks are not logged in this case, so this utility helps to bypass protection mechanisms based on the analysis of these logs.

Detection logic

Detection requirements

Platform
Windows

The rule states no platform. This is derived from the 2 ATT&CK techniques it maps to.

Log source product
windows
Log source category
process_creation

Known benign triggers

  • Direct PS command execution through SQLToolsPS.exe is uncommon, childprocess sqltoolsps.exe spawned by smss.exe is a legitimate action.

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