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ESXi Virtual Machine Process Killed

Detects termination of a virtual machine process on an ESXi host, including `esxcli vm process kill`, `pkill` of `vmx` processes, and `vmdumper` suspend. A running VM holds a lock on its disks. Stopping the process…

Description

Detects termination of a virtual machine process on an ESXi host, including `esxcli vm process kill`, `pkill` of `vmx` processes, and `vmdumper` suspend. A running VM holds a lock on its disks. Stopping the process releases that lock and makes the disks writable.

Detection logic

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Detection requirements

Platform
ESXiIaaSLinuxmacOSWindows

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

Log source category
event_index

Known benign triggers

  • Virtual machine process kills also happen during planned maintenance, host upgrades, and troubleshooting of a stuck VM. Confirm the world id, the account, and whether the same session also enumerates `/vmfs/volumes` or removes snapshots.

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