Impacket Lateral Movement smbexec CommandLine Parameters
The following analytic identifies suspicious command-line parameters associated with the use of Impacket's smbexec.py for lateral movement. It leverages data from Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) agents,…
Description
The following analytic identifies suspicious command-line parameters associated with the use of Impacket's smbexec.py for lateral movement. It leverages data from Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) agents, focusing on specific command-line patterns indicative of Impacket tool usage. This activity is significant as both Red Teams and adversaries use Impacket for remote code execution and lateral movement. If confirmed malicious, this activity could allow attackers to execute commands on remote endpoints, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data exfiltration, or further compromise of the network.
Detection logic
Detection requirements
- Platform
- Windows
The rule states no platform. This is derived from the 3 ATT&CK techniques it maps to.
- Log source category
- crowdstrike_processrollup2sysmon_eventid_1windows_event_log_security_4688
Known benign triggers
- Although uncommon, Administrators may leverage Impackets tools to start a process on remote systems for system administration or automation use cases.
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 |
|---|---|
| attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1021/002/ | 4 |
| attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1021/003/ | 7 |
| attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1047/ | 9 |
| attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1053/ | 3 |
| attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1053/005/ | 12 |
| github.com/SecureAuthCorp/impacket | 3 |
| vk9-sec.com/impacket-remote-code-execution-rce-on-windows-from-linux/ | 3 |
| www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2023/05/24/volt-typhoon-targets-us-critical-infrastructure-with-living-off-the-land-techniques/ | 20 |
| www.microsoft.com/security/blog/2022/01/15/destructive-malware-targeting-ukrainian-organizations/ | 27from 2 sources |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- bb3c1bac-6bdf-4aa0-8dc9-068b8b712a76
- Tagged by the source as
- Active Directory Lateral MovementCISA AA22-277ACompromised Windows HostData DestructionGraceful Wipe Out AttackIndustroyer2Prestige RansomwareVolt TyphoonWhisperGateEndpointendpointSplunk CloudSplunk EnterpriseSplunk Enterprise Securityendpoint
Licence
- Published under
- Apache License 2.0Read the licence
- Attribution
- Required
- Obtained under
- Apache-2.0Read the origin licence
Authorship
- Written by
- Published
- Aug 26, 2026
- Version
- 1