1200KM / sigma-rule

DNS Query To Remote Access Software Domain From Non-Browser App — Sigma Rule

Sigma rule 4d07b1f4-cb00-4470-b9f8-b0191d48ff52. DNS Query To Remote Access Software Domain From Non-Browser App — Sigma Rule. An adversary may use legitimate desktop support and remote access software, such as Team Viewer, Go2Assist, LogMein, AmmyyAdmin, etc, to establish an interactive command and control channel to target systems within networks. These services are commonly used as legitimate technical support software, and may be allowed by application control within a target environment. Remote access tools like VNC, Ammyy, and Teamviewer are used frequently when compared with other legitimate software commonly used by adversaries. (Citation: Symantec Living off the Land)

Rule metadata and linked tags

Author: frack113, Connor Martin. Source status: test; severity: medium. Source dates: 2022-07-11 / 2024-12-17.

{
  "product": "windows",
  "category": "dns_query"
}

Pinned original Sigma rule · Detection Rule License 1.1

Source SHA-256: 0a2bc0b0eb482e1dfa53ded23a543eeae9924a6a9a25bd1498f32ca94f350762

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: DNS Query To Remote Access Software Domain From Non-Browser App
id: 4d07b1f4-cb00-4470-b9f8-b0191d48ff52
related:
    - id: 71ba22cb-8a01-42e2-a6dd-5bf9b547498f
      type: obsolete
    - id: 7c4cf8e0-1362-48b2-a512-b606d2065d7d
      type: obsolete
    - id: ed785237-70fa-46f3-83b6-d264d1dc6eb4
      type: obsolete
status: test
description: |
    An adversary may use legitimate desktop support and remote access software, such as Team Viewer, Go2Assist, LogMein, AmmyyAdmin, etc, to establish an interactive command and control channel to target systems within networks.
    These services are commonly used as legitimate technical support software, and may be allowed by application control within a target environment.
    Remote access tools like VNC, Ammyy, and Teamviewer are used frequently when compared with other legitimate software commonly used by adversaries. (Citation: Symantec Living off the Land)
references:
    - https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1219/T1219.md#atomic-test-4---gotoassist-files-detected-test-on-windows
    - https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1219/T1219.md#atomic-test-3---logmein-files-detected-test-on-windows
    - https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1219/T1219.md#atomic-test-6---ammyy-admin-software-execution
    - https://redcanary.com/blog/misbehaving-rats/
    - https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-sentinel-blog/hunting-for-omi-vulnerability-exploitation-with-azure-sentinel/ba-p/2764093
    - https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/cybersecurity-advisories/aa23-320a
    - https://blog.sekoia.io/scattered-spider-laying-new-eggs/
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/client-management/client-tools/quick-assist#disable-quick-assist-within-your-organization
author: frack113, Connor Martin
date: 2022-07-11
modified: 2024-12-17
tags:
    - attack.command-and-control
    - attack.t1219.002
logsource:
    product: windows
    category: dns_query
detection:
    selection_generic:
        QueryName|endswith:
            - 'agent.jumpcloud.com'
            - 'agentreporting.atera.com'
            - 'ammyy.com'
            - 'api.parsec.app'
            - 'api.playanext.com'
            - 'api.splashtop.com'
            - 'app.atera.com'
            - 'assist.zoho.com'
            - 'authentication.logmeininc.com'
            - 'beyondtrustcloud.com'
            - 'cdn.kaseya.net'
            - 'client.teamviewer.com'
            - 'comserver.corporate.beanywhere.com'
            - 'control.connectwise.com'
            - 'downloads.zohocdn.com'
            - 'dwservice.net'
            - 'express.gotoassist.com'
            - 'getgo.com'
            - 'getscreen.me'  # https://x.com/malmoeb/status/1868757130624614860?s=12&t=C0_T_re0wRP_NfKa27Xw9w
            - 'integratedchat.teamviewer.com'
            - 'join.zoho.com'
            - 'kickstart.jumpcloud.com'
            - 'license.bomgar.com'
            - 'logmein-gateway.com'
            - 'logmein.com'
            - 'logmeincdn.http.internapcdn.net'
            - 'n-able.com'
            - 'net.anydesk.com'
            - 'netsupportsoftware.com' # For NetSupport Manager RAT
            - 'parsecusercontent.com'
            - 'pubsub.atera.com'
            - 'relay.kaseya.net'
            - 'relay.screenconnect.com'
            - 'relay.splashtop.com'
            - 'remoteassistance.support.services.microsoft.com' # Quick Assist Application
            - 'remotedesktop-pa.googleapis.com'
            - 'remoteutilities.com' # Usage of Remote Utilities RAT
            - 'secure.logmeinrescue.com'
            - 'services.vnc.com'
            - 'static.remotepc.com'
            - 'swi-rc.com'
            - 'swi-tc.com'
            - 'tailscale.com' # Scattered Spider threat group used this RMM tool
            - 'telemetry.servers.qetqo.com'
            - 'tmate.io'
            - 'twingate.com'  # Scattered Spider threat group used this RMM tool
            - 'zohoassist.com'
    selection_rustdesk:  # https://twitter.com/malmoeb/status/1668504345132822531?s=20 and https://www.adamsdesk.com/posts/rustdesk-not-connecting/ mention this pattern
        QueryName|endswith: '.rustdesk.com'
        QueryName|startswith: 'rs-'
    # Exclude browsers for legitimate visits of the domains mentioned above
    # Add missing browsers you use and exclude the ones you don't
    filter_optional_chrome:
        Image:
            - 'C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe'
            - 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe'
    filter_optional_firefox:
        Image:
            - 'C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe'
            - 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe'
    filter_optional_ie:
        Image:
            - 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe'
            - 'C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe'
    filter_optional_edge_1:
        - Image|startswith: 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\EdgeWebView\Application\'
        - Image|endswith: '\WindowsApps\MicrosoftEdge.exe'
        - Image:
              - 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Edge\Application\msedge.exe'
              - 'C:\Program Files\Microsoft\Edge\Application\msedge.exe'
    filter_optional_edge_2:
        Image|startswith:
            - 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\EdgeCore\'
            - 'C:\Program Files\Microsoft\EdgeCore\'
        Image|endswith:
            - '\msedge.exe'
            - '\msedgewebview2.exe'
    filter_optional_safari:
        Image|endswith: '\safari.exe'
    filter_optional_defender:
        Image|endswith:
            - '\MsMpEng.exe' # Microsoft Defender executable
            - '\MsSense.exe' # Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection Service Executable
    filter_optional_brave:
        Image|endswith: '\brave.exe'
        Image|startswith: 'C:\Program Files\BraveSoftware\'
    filter_optional_maxthon:
        Image|contains: '\AppData\Local\Maxthon\'
        Image|endswith: '\maxthon.exe'
    filter_optional_opera:
        Image|contains: '\AppData\Local\Programs\Opera\'
        Image|endswith: '\opera.exe'
    filter_optional_seamonkey:
        Image|startswith:
            - 'C:\Program Files\SeaMonkey\'
            - 'C:\Program Files (x86)\SeaMonkey\'
        Image|endswith: '\seamonkey.exe'
    filter_optional_vivaldi:
        Image|contains: '\AppData\Local\Vivaldi\'
        Image|endswith: '\vivaldi.exe'
    filter_optional_whale:
        Image|startswith:
            - 'C:\Program Files\Naver\Naver Whale\'
            - 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Naver\Naver Whale\'
        Image|endswith: '\whale.exe'
    filter_optional_tor:
        Image|contains: '\Tor Browser\'
    filter_optional_whaterfox:
        Image|startswith:
            - 'C:\Program Files\Waterfox\'
            - 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Waterfox\'
        Image|endswith: '\Waterfox.exe'
    filter_optional_midori:
        Image|contains: '\AppData\Local\Programs\midori-ng\'
        Image|endswith: '\Midori Next Generation.exe'
    filter_optional_slimbrowser:
        Image|startswith:
            - 'C:\Program Files\SlimBrowser\'
            - 'C:\Program Files (x86)\SlimBrowser\'
        Image|endswith: '\slimbrowser.exe'
    filter_optional_flock:
        Image|contains: '\AppData\Local\Flock\'
        Image|endswith: '\Flock.exe'
    filter_optional_phoebe:
        Image|contains: '\AppData\Local\Phoebe\'
        Image|endswith: '\Phoebe.exe'
    filter_optional_falkon:
        Image|startswith:
            - 'C:\Program Files\Falkon\'
            - 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Falkon\'
        Image|endswith: '\falkon.exe'
    filter_optional_avant:
        Image|startswith:
            - 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Avant Browser\'
            - 'C:\Program Files\Avant Browser\'
        Image|endswith: '\avant.exe'
    condition: 1 of selection_* and not 1 of filter_optional_*
falsepositives:
    - Likely with other browser software. Apply additional filters for any other browsers you might use.
level: medium

Original YAML and metadata in JSON

False positives

Likely with other browser software. Apply additional filters for any other browsers you might use.

Source references

Connected ecosystem references

Exact source-tagged techniques

T1219.002 · Remote Desktop Software · Detection rules & anomalies

Telemetry review

Read the original logsource above, then inspect the linked detection workspaces for technique-level sensor context. No per-rule telemetry equivalence is inferred.

Pinned research references. No browser attack runner, live simulation result or validated detector is asserted. Source mappings and validation limits are preserved. ATT&CK / Atomic provenance · Detection provenance.