Potential Shim Database Persistence via Sdbinst.EXE — Sigma Rule

Rule metadata and linked tags

Author: Markus Neis. Source status: test; severity: medium. Source dates: 2019-01-16 / 2023-12-06.

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

Pinned original Sigma rule · Detection Rule License 1.1

Source SHA-256: beb7975c32d8706586b4f9b7a1ae1069e45d1b55f9d44165ccc89cdfc0c23005

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: Potential Shim Database Persistence via Sdbinst.EXE
id: 517490a7-115a-48c6-8862-1a481504d5a8
related:
    - id: 18ee686c-38a3-4f65-9f44-48a077141f42
      type: similar
status: test
description: |
    Detects installation of a new shim using sdbinst.exe.
    Adversaries may establish persistence and/or elevate privileges by executing malicious content triggered by application shims
references:
    - https://www.mandiant.com/resources/blog/fin7-shim-databases-persistence
author: Markus Neis
date: 2019-01-16
modified: 2023-12-06
tags:
    - attack.persistence
    - attack.privilege-escalation
    - attack.t1546.011
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_img:
        - Image|endswith: '\sdbinst.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'sdbinst.exe'
    selection_cli:
        CommandLine|contains: '.sdb'
    filter_optional_iis:
        ParentImage|endswith: '\msiexec.exe'
        CommandLine|contains:
            # Expected behavior for IIS Express (e.g. https://www.hybrid-analysis.com/sample/15d4ff941f77f7bdfc9dfb2399b7b952a0a2c860976ef3e835998ff4796e5e91?environmentId=120)
            - ':\Program Files (x86)\IIS Express\iisexpressshim.sdb'
            - ':\Program Files\IIS Express\iisexpressshim.sdb'
    condition: all of selection_* and not 1 of filter_optional_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium

Original YAML and metadata in JSON

False positives

• Unknown

Source references

• https://www.mandiant.com/resources/blog/fin7-shim-databases-persistence