Process Discovery
Adversaries may attempt to get information about running processes on a system. Information obtained could be used to gain an understanding of common software/applications running on systems within the network. Administrator or otherwise elevated access may provide better process details. Adversaries may use the information from Process Discovery during automated discovery to shape follow-on behaviors, including whether or not the adversary fully infects the target and/or attempts specific actions. In Windows environments, adversaries could obtain details on running processes using the Tasklist utility via cmd or Get-Process via PowerShell. Information about processes can also be extracted from the output of Native API calls such as CreateToolhelp32Snapshot. In Mac and Linux, this is accomplished with the ps command. Adversaries may also opt to enumerate processes via `/proc`. On network devices, Network Device CLI commands such as `show processes` can be used to display current running processes.
Open detection, hunting, mitigation, and evidence workspace
Detection logic
System and network discovery techniques normally occur throughout an operation as an adversary learns the environment. Data and events should not be viewed in isolation, but as part of a chain of behavior that could lead to other activities, such as Lateral Movement, based on the information obtained. Normal, benign system and network events that look like process discovery may be uncommon, depending on the environment and how they are used. Monitor processes and command-line arguments for actions that could be taken to gather system and network information. Remote access tools with built-in features may interact directly with the Windows API to gather information. Information may also be acquired through Windows system management tools such as Windows Management Instrumentation and PowerShell. For network infrastructure devices, collect AAA logging to monitor for `show` commands being run by non-standard users from non-standard locations.
Observed actors
G0082APT3
G0022Kimsuky
G0094Volt Typhoon
G1017HAFNIUM
G0125MuddyWater
G0069Gamaredon Group
G0047TeamTNT
G0139Andariel
G0138Sidewinder
G0121Mustang Panda
G0129Rocke
G0106APT37
G0067OilRig
G0049Higaisa
G0126Tropic Trooper
G0081Ke3chang
G0004APT1
G0006Turla
G0010Poseidon Group
G0033Stealth Falcon
G0038APT29
G0016Chimera
G0114Darkhotel
G0012Deep Panda
G0009Windshift
G0112ToddyCat
G1022APT28
G0007APT5
G1023Winnti Group
G0044Lazarus Group
G0032Earth Lusca
G1006Molerats
G0021Inception
G0100Play
G1040HEXANE
G1001Magic Hound
G0059