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Cisco NVM - Suspicious Network Connection Initiated via MsXsl

This analytic identifies the use of `msxsl.exe` initiating a network connection to a non-private IP address. Although `msxsl.exe` is a legitimate Microsoft utility used to apply XSLT transformations, adversaries can…

Description

This analytic identifies the use of `msxsl.exe` initiating a network connection to a non-private IP address. Although `msxsl.exe` is a legitimate Microsoft utility used to apply XSLT transformations, adversaries can abuse it to execute arbitrary code or load external resources in an evasive manner. This detection leverages Cisco NVM telemetry to identify potentially malicious use of `msxsl.exe` making network connections that may indicate command and control (C2) or data exfiltration activity.

Detection logic

Detection requirements

Platform
Windows

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

Log source category
cisco_network_visibility_module_flow_data

Known benign triggers

  • False positives may occur in development or administrative environments where msxsl.exe is used for legitimate XML transformations. However, its use is uncommon in standard user activity and should be reviewed in most environments.

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