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MediumSplunk security contentRaven Tait +1

Windows Suspicious QEMU Execution

Detects execution of the QEMU binary and an image file with the -nographic flag. This causes it to run in the background without any display. This has been observed as a persistence and initial access technique by…

Description

Detects execution of the QEMU binary and an image file with the -nographic flag. This causes it to run in the background without any display. This has been observed as a persistence and initial access technique by some threat actors to install a rogue linux virtual machine

Detection logic

Detection requirements

Platform
ContainersESXiLinuxmacOSWindows

The rule states no platform. This is derived from the 4 ATT&CK techniques it maps to.

Log source category
sysmon_eventid_1

Known benign triggers

  • Some legitimate virtual machine setups or automated testing environments may run QEMU with the -nographic flag. Review and whitelist approved systems to reduce false alerts.

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