--- name: performing-lateral-movement-detection-3ba9c01803d0 description: 'Detects lateral movement techniques including Pass-the-Hash, PsExec, WMI execution, RDP pivoting, and SMB-based spreading by correlating Windows Security/Sysmon event logs, network flow data (NetFlow/Zeek), and endpoint telemetry in a SIEM, mapped to MITRE ATT&CK Lateral Movement (TA0008) techniques with sample SPL detection queries. Use when a SOC team needs to detect attackers pivoting between internal systems after initial compromise, trace an attacker''s movement path during an incident investigation, or build detection engineering rules for TA0008; not for detecting initial access or external attacks. ' domain: cybersecurity subdomain: soc-operations tags: - soc - lateral-movement - mitre-attack - pass-the-hash - psexec - wmi - rdp - smb - detection version: '1.0' author: mahipal license: Apache-2.0 d3fend_techniques: - Token Binding - Execution Isolation - Restore Access - Application Protocol Command Analysis - Process Termination nist_csf: - DE.CM-01 - DE.AE-02 - RS.MA-01 - DE.AE-06 mitre_attack: - T1078 - T1685.002 - T1685.005 - T1566 - T1021 --- # Performing Lateral Movement Detection ## When to Use Use this skill when: - SOC teams need to detect attackers pivoting between systems after initial compromise - Incident investigations require tracking an attacker's movement path through the network - Detection engineering needs lateral movement rules mapped to ATT&CK TA0008 techniques - Red/purple team exercises identify lateral movement detection gaps **Do not use** for detecting initial access or external attacks — lateral movement detection focuses on internal host-to-host pivot activity. ## Prerequisites - Windows Security Event Logs (EventCode 4624, 4625, 4648, 4672) from all endpoints and servers - Sysmon deployed with process creation (EventCode 1), network connections (EventCode 3), and named pipe (EventCode 17/18) - Network flow data (NetFlow/sFlow, Zeek connection logs) for internal traffic analysis - SIEM with cross-source correlation capability - Baseline of normal internal authentication patterns ## Workflow ### Step 1: Detect Pass-the-Hash / Pass-the-Ticket (T1550) **Pass-the-Hash Detection (EventCode 4624 with NTLM):** ```spl index=wineventlog sourcetype="WinEventLog:Security" EventCode=4624 Logon_Type=3 AuthenticationPackageName="NTLM" | where TargetUserName!="ANONYMOUS LOGON" AND TargetUserName!="$" | stats count, dc(ComputerName) AS unique_targets, values(ComputerName) AS targets by src_ip, TargetUserName | where unique_targets > 3 | eval alert = "Possible Pass-the-Hash: NTLM network logon to ".unique_targets." hosts" | sort - unique_targets | table src_ip, TargetUserName, unique_targets, count, targets, alert ``` **Overpass-the-Hash Detection (Kerberos with RC4):** ```spl index=wineventlog sourcetype="WinEventLog:Security" EventCode=4769 TicketEncryptionType="0x17" | where ServiceName!="krbtgt" AND ServiceName!="$" | stats count, dc(ServiceName) AS unique_services by src_ip, TargetUserName | where count > 5 | eval alert = "Possible Overpass-the-Hash: RC4 Kerberos tickets from ".src_ip | table _time, src_ip, TargetUserName, unique_services, count, alert ``` **Golden/Silver Ticket Detection (T1558):** ```spl index=wineventlog sourcetype="WinEventLog:Security" EventCode=4769 | where TicketOptions="0x40810000" OR TicketOptions="0x40800000" | eval ticket_lifetime = TicketExpireTime - TicketIssueTime | where ticket_lifetime > 36000 --- >10 hours (abnormal) | stats count by src_ip, TargetUserName, ServiceName, TicketEncryptionType, TicketOptions | eval alert = "Possible Golden/Silver Ticket: Abnormal ticket properties" ``` ### Step 2: Detect Remote Service Exploitation (T1021) **PsExec Detection (T1021.002):** ```spl --- Via Sysmon process creation index=sysmon EventCode=1 (Image="*\\psexec.exe" OR Image="*\\psexesvc.exe" OR OriginalFileName="psexec.c" OR OriginalFileName="psexesvc.exe" OR ParentImage="*\\psexesvc.exe") | table _time, Computer, User, ParentImage, Image, CommandLine, Hashes --- Via named pipe creation (Sysmon EventCode 17) index=sysmon EventCode=17 PipeName IN ("\\PSEXESVC*", "\\RemCom*", "\\csexec*") | table _time, Computer, User, Image, PipeName --- Via Windows service creation (EventCode 7045) index=wineventlog sourcetype="WinEventLog:System" EventCode=7045 ServiceName="PSEXESVC" OR ServiceFileName="*PSEXESVC*" | table _time, Computer, ServiceName, ServiceFileName, AccountName ``` **WMI Remote Execution (T1047):** ```spl index=sysmon EventCode=1 (Image="*\\wmic.exe" AND CommandLine="*/node:*") OR (ParentImage="*\\WmiPrvSE.exe" AND Image IN ("*\\cmd.exe", "*\\powershell.exe")) | eval execution_type = case( match(Image, "wmic"), "WMI Command Line", match(ParentImage, "WmiPrvSE"), "WMI Provider Host (remote execution)" ) | table _time, Computer, User, execution_type, ParentImage, Image, CommandLine ``` **WinRM/PowerShell Remoting (T1021.006):** ```spl index=wineventlog sourcetype="WinEventLog:Security" EventCode=4624 Logon_Type=3 AuthenticationPackageName="Kerberos" | where ProcessName="*\\wsmprovhost.exe" OR ProcessName="*\\powershell.exe" | stats count, dc(ComputerName) AS unique_targets by src_ip, TargetUserName | where unique_targets > 2 | eval alert = "PowerShell Remoting to ".unique_targets." hosts from ".src_ip --- Sysmon variant index=sysmon EventCode=1 ParentImage="*\\wsmprovhost.exe" Image IN ("*\\cmd.exe", "*\\powershell.exe", "*\\csc.exe") | table _time, Computer, User, Image, CommandLine ``` **RDP Lateral Movement (T1021.001):** ```spl index=wineventlog sourcetype="WinEventLog:Security" EventCode=4624 Logon_Type=10 | stats count, dc(ComputerName) AS rdp_targets, values(ComputerName) AS destinations, earliest(_time) AS first_rdp, latest(_time) AS last_rdp by src_ip, TargetUserName | where rdp_targets > 2 | eval duration_hours = round((last_rdp - first_rdp) / 3600, 1) | eval alert = TargetUserName." RDP'd to ".rdp_targets." hosts in ".duration_hours." hours" | sort - rdp_targets ``` ### Step 3: Detect SMB-Based Lateral Movement **Anomalous SMB Traffic Patterns:** ```spl index=firewall OR index=zeek sourcetype IN ("pan:traffic", "bro:conn:json") dest_port=445 action=allowed | where src_ip!=dest_ip | stats count AS smb_sessions, dc(dest_ip) AS unique_targets, sum(bytes_out) AS total_bytes by src_ip | where unique_targets > 10 | eval alert = case( unique_targets > 50, "CRITICAL: Mass SMB enumeration from ".src_ip, unique_targets > 20, "HIGH: Significant SMB lateral movement", unique_targets > 10, "MEDIUM: Elevated SMB connections" ) | sort - unique_targets ``` **Admin Share Access (C$, ADMIN$):** ```spl index=wineventlog sourcetype="WinEventLog:Security" EventCode=5140 ShareName IN ("\\\\*\\C$", "\\\\*\\ADMIN$", "\\\\*\\IPC$") | where SubjectUserName!="SYSTEM" AND SubjectUserName!="$" | stats count, dc(ComputerName) AS unique_hosts by SubjectUserName, ShareName, src_ip | where unique_hosts > 3 | eval alert = "Admin share access to ".unique_hosts." hosts by ".SubjectUserName | sort - unique_hosts ``` ### Step 4: Build Lateral Movement Graph Visualize the attack path: ```spl --- Build source->destination graph for authentication events index=wineventlog EventCode=4624 Logon_Type IN (3, 10) earliest=-24h | stats count AS connections, latest(_time) AS last_connection by src_ip, ComputerName, TargetUserName, Logon_Type | eval edge = src_ip." -> ".ComputerName." (User: ".TargetUserName.", Type: ".Logon_Type.")" | sort - connections | table edge, connections, last_connection --- Network flow correlation index=netflow earliest=-24h dest_port IN (445, 135, 3389, 5985, 5986) | stats sum(bytes) AS total_bytes, count AS flow_count, dc(dest_ip) AS targets by src_ip, dest_port | where targets > 5 | eval service = case( dest_port=445, "SMB", dest_port=135, "RPC/WMI", dest_port=3389, "RDP", dest_port IN (5985, 5986), "WinRM" ) | sort - targets | table src_ip, service, targets, flow_count, total_bytes ``` ### Step 5: Detect DCOM and Scheduled Task-Based Movement **DCOM Lateral Execution (T1021.003):** ```spl index=sysmon EventCode=1 ParentImage IN ("*\\mmc.exe", "*\\excel.exe", "*\\outlook.exe") Image IN ("*\\cmd.exe", "*\\powershell.exe", "*\\mshta.exe") | where ParentCommandLine="*-Embedding*" | eval alert = "DCOM-based lateral movement: ".ParentImage." spawned ".Image | table _time, Computer, User, ParentImage, Image, CommandLine, alert ``` **Remote Scheduled Task Creation (T1053.005):** ```spl index=wineventlog EventCode=4698 | where SubjectUserName!="SYSTEM" | eval task_xml = TaskContent | search task_xml="*http*" OR task_xml="*powershell*" OR task_xml="*cmd*" OR task_xml="*\\Temp\\*" | table _time, Computer, SubjectUserName, TaskName, task_xml ``` ### Step 6: Correlate Movement with Kill Chain Phases Build end-to-end attack chain detection: ```spl --- Detect complete lateral movement sequence index=wineventlog OR index=sysmon (EventCode=4625 OR EventCode=4624 OR EventCode=1 OR EventCode=4698 OR EventCode=5140) | eval phase = case( EventCode=4625, "1-Recon/BruteForce", EventCode=4624 AND Logon_Type=3, "2-Lateral Movement", EventCode=5140 AND match(ShareName, "C\$|ADMIN\$"), "3-Admin Share Access", EventCode=1 AND match(ParentImage, "psexesvc|WmiPrvSE|wsmprovhost"), "4-Remote Execution", EventCode=4698, "5-Persistence (Scheduled Task)", 1=1, "other" ) | where phase!="other" | stats count by phase, src_ip, ComputerName, TargetUserName | sort phase, _time | table phase, src_ip, ComputerName, TargetUserName, count ``` ## Key Concepts | Term | Definition | |------|-----------| | **Lateral Movement** | Post-compromise technique where attackers pivot between systems to reach targets | | **Pass-the-Hash** | Using stolen NTLM hash for authentication without knowing the plaintext password | | **Pass-the-Ticket** | Using stolen Kerberos TGT/TGS tickets for authentication across the domain | | **PsExec** | Sysinternals tool (and attack technique) for remote process execution via SMB and named pipes | | **WMI Execution** | Using Windows Management Instrumentation for remote command execution via DCOM or WinRM | | **Admin Share** | Default Windows administrative shares (C$, ADMIN$, IPC$) used for remote system management | ## Tools & Systems - **Splunk Enterprise Security**: SIEM platform for correlating Windows events, Sysmon, and network flows - **Microsoft Defender for Identity**: Cloud service detecting lateral movement via domain controller monitoring - **BloodHound**: Active Directory attack path analysis tool for identifying lateral movement opportunities - **CrowdStrike Falcon**: EDR platform with lateral movement detection and automated containment - **Zeek (Bro)**: Network monitor generating connection logs for SMB, RDP, and WinRM traffic analysis ## Common Scenarios - **PsExec Spread**: Attacker uses PsExec to execute malware across 20 workstations — detect via service creation events - **RDP Pivoting**: Compromised VPN account used to RDP through multiple internal hosts — detect via Logon_Type 10 chains - **WMI Recon and Execution**: Attacker uses WMI for discovery then execution — detect via WmiPrvSE child processes - **Pass-the-Hash Campaign**: Stolen local admin hash used across subnet — detect via NTLM Logon_Type 3 to multiple hosts - **Scheduled Task Persistence**: Remote scheduled task created on domain controller — detect via EventCode 4698 from non-admin source ## Output Format ``` LATERAL MOVEMENT DETECTION REPORT ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ Period: 2024-03-15 14:00 to 18:00 UTC Source: 192.168.1.105 (WORKSTATION-042) Movement Path: 14:23 192.168.1.105 → 10.0.5.20 (DC-PRIMARY) — PtH via NTLM Type 3 14:25 10.0.5.20 → 10.0.5.21 (DC-BACKUP) — Kerberos ticket reuse 14:28 10.0.5.20 → 10.0.10.15 (FILESERVER-01) — PsExec service creation 14:32 10.0.10.15 → 10.0.10.20 (DB-PRIMARY) — WMI remote execution 14:35 10.0.10.20 → 10.0.10.25 (DB-BACKUP) — SMB admin share access Techniques Detected: T1550.002 — Pass-the-Hash (NTLM authentication to DC) T1021.002 — PsExec (remote service installation) T1047 — WMI Execution (WmiPrvSE child process) T1021.002 — SMB Admin Share (C$ access on DB-BACKUP) Affected Systems: 5 hosts across 2 network segments User Account: admin_compromised (Domain Admin) Containment: All 5 hosts isolated at 14:45 UTC ``` --- Source attribution: mukul975 Original project: https://github.com/mukul975/Anthropic-Cybersecurity-Skills/blob/54a798831d2266a3ca61ce68a7acb80b81160d57/skills/performing-lateral-movement-detection/SKILL.md License: Apache-2.0 License information: https://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0 Original upstream instructions; downloaded from Dave AI. ## Upstream license notice Apache License Version 2.0, January 2004 http://www.apache.org/licenses/ TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR USE, REPRODUCTION, AND DISTRIBUTION 1. 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See the License for the specific language governing permissions and limitations under the License. # Dave AI resource metadata Creator / publisher: mukul975 Original project: https://github.com/mukul975/Anthropic-Cybersecurity-Skills/blob/54a798831d2266a3ca61ce68a7acb80b81160d57/skills/performing-lateral-movement-detection/SKILL.md Attribution basis: Source repository record Fields of work: Development & Engineering, Sales Roles: Sales Development Rep (SDR), Security Engineer Specialties: API Tools: Siem Country applicability: Country not specified Classification basis: Source catalog labels Instruction SHA-256: 51258fad34f4351dc7955501542443359427672029d6fca98964b46f0785638c