DLL Sideloading by VMware Xfer Utility

Hunt Hypothesis

Detects execution of VMware Xfer utility (VMwareXferlogs.exe) from the non-default directory which may be an attempt to sideload arbitrary DLL

Detection Rule

Sigma (Original)

title: DLL Sideloading by VMware Xfer Utility
id: ebea773c-a8f1-42ad-a856-00cb221966e8
status: test
description: Detects execution of VMware Xfer utility (VMwareXferlogs.exe) from the non-default directory which may be an attempt to sideload arbitrary DLL
references:
    - https://www.sentinelone.com/labs/lockbit-ransomware-side-loads-cobalt-strike-beacon-with-legitimate-vmware-utility/
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2022-08-02
tags:
    - attack.privilege-escalation
    - attack.persistence
    - attack.execution
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1574.001
logsource:
    product: windows
    category: process_creation
detection:
    selection:
        Image|endswith: '\VMwareXferlogs.exe'
    filter: # VMware might be installed in another path so update the rule accordingly
        Image|startswith: 'C:\Program Files\VMware\'
    condition: selection and not filter
falsepositives:
    - Unlikely
level: high

KQL (Azure Sentinel)

imProcessCreate
| where TargetProcessName endswith "\\VMwareXferlogs.exe" and (not(TargetProcessName startswith "C:\\Program Files\\VMware\\"))

Required Data Sources

False Positive Guidance

• Unlikely

MITRE ATT&CK Context

• Tactic: Privilege Escalation
• Tactic: Persistence
• Tactic: Execution
• Technique: T1574.001 — T1574.001

References

• https://www.sentinelone.com/labs/lockbit-ransomware-side-loads-cobalt-strike-beacon-with-legitimate-vmware-utility/
• SigmaHQ Rule