ESXi VM Kill Via ESXCLI — Sigma Rule

Rule metadata and linked tags

Author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), Cedric Maurugeon. Source status: test; severity: medium. Source dates: 2023-09-04 / not supplied.

{
  "category": "process_creation",
  "product": "linux"
}

Pinned original Sigma rule · Detection Rule License 1.1

Source SHA-256: 9052329d4351d8db7be6063f5c8484dfd4be8e561e7eee0d2e25785f30392c77

Detection logic

Original source YAML. Source-tag agreement is not proof of complete semantic coverage. This rule has not been compiled for a SIEM backend or validated against live telemetry here.

title: ESXi VM Kill Via ESXCLI
id: 2992ac4d-31e9-4325-99f2-b18a73221bb2
status: test
description: Detects execution of the "esxcli" command with the "vm" and "kill" flag in order to kill/shutdown a specific VM.
references:
    - https://www.crowdstrike.com/blog/hypervisor-jackpotting-ecrime-actors-increase-targeting-of-esxi-servers/
    - https://developer.broadcom.com/xapis/esxcli-command-reference/7.0.0/namespace/esxcli_vm.html
    - https://www.secuinfra.com/en/techtalk/hide-your-hypervisor-analysis-of-esxiargs-ransomware/
    - https://www.trendmicro.com/en_us/research/22/e/new-linux-based-ransomware-cheerscrypt-targets-exsi-devices.html
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), Cedric Maurugeon
date: 2023-09-04
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.impact
    - attack.t1059.012
    - attack.t1529
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: linux
detection:
    selection:
        Image|endswith: '/esxcli'
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - 'vm process'
            - 'kill'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate administration activities
level: medium

Original YAML and metadata in JSON

False positives

• Legitimate administration activities

Source references

• https://www.crowdstrike.com/blog/hypervisor-jackpotting-ecrime-actors-increase-targeting-of-esxi-servers/
• https://developer.broadcom.com/xapis/esxcli-command-reference/7.0.0/namespace/esxcli_vm.html
• https://www.secuinfra.com/en/techtalk/hide-your-hypervisor-analysis-of-esxiargs-ransomware/
• https://www.trendmicro.com/en_us/research/22/e/new-linux-based-ransomware-cheerscrypt-targets-exsi-devices.html