Windows Network Sniffing Tool Executed
The following analytic detects the execution of common network sniffing tools on Windows systems, including Wireshark, WinPcap, tcpdump, and similar utilities. This activity is significant because attackers use…
Description
The following analytic detects the execution of common network sniffing tools on Windows systems, including Wireshark, WinPcap, tcpdump, and similar utilities. This activity is significant because attackers use packet capture tools to intercept and analyze network traffic, enabling credential theft, sensitive data harvesting, and reconnaissance of internal network communications. While these tools have legitimate administrative uses, their presence in unexpected environments may indicate an adversary conducting man-in-the-middle attacks or exfiltrating sensitive information traversing the network. If confirmed malicious, this could lead to the exposure of credentials, session tokens, and confidential data, facilitating lateral movement and further compromise of the environment.
Detection logic
Detection requirements
- Platform
- IaaSLinuxmacOSNetwork DevicesWindows
The rule states no platform. This is derived from the ATT&CK technique it maps to.
- Log source category
- crowdstrike_processrollup2sysmon_eventid_1windows_event_log_security_4688
Known benign triggers
- Legitimate network administrators and security teams may use these tools for authorized network monitoring and troubleshooting. Filter based on approved software inventory and known administrative activity.
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 |
|---|---|
| github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/388942adbd9641f4dfdcf079d7efe9a75ec0ac43/atomics/T1040/T1040.yaml#L154 | Only this detection cites it |
| github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/388942adbd9641f4dfdcf079d7efe9a75ec0ac43/atomics/T1040/T1040.yaml#L86 | Only this detection cites it |
| github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/master/atomics/T1040/T1040.md | Only this detection cites it |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- 0c594353-e12d-4867-92f6-2a1b8a1faf5f
- Tagged by the source as
- Credential DumpingData ExfiltrationNetwork DiscoverySuspicious Command-Line ExecutionsWindows Discovery TechniquesEndpointendpointSplunk 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
- Oct 13, 2026
- Version
- 2