Windows Account or Group Discovery

[metadata]
bypass_bbr_timing = true
creation_date = "2023/07/13"
integration = ["endpoint"]
maturity = "production"
updated_date = "2026/03/24"

[rule]
author = ["Elastic"]
building_block_type = "default"
description = """
This rule identifies the execution of commands that enumerates account or group information. Adversaries may use
built-in applications to get a listing of local system or domain accounts and groups.
"""
from = "now-9m"
index = ["logs-endpoint.events.process-*"]
language = "eql"
license = "Elastic License v2"
name = "Windows Account or Group Discovery"
risk_score = 21
rule_id = "089db1af-740d-4d84-9a5b-babd6de143b0"
severity = "low"
tags = [
    "Domain: Endpoint",
    "OS: Windows",
    "Use Case: Threat Detection",
    "Tactic: Discovery",
    "Rule Type: BBR",
    "Data Source: Elastic Defend",
]
timestamp_override = "event.ingested"
type = "eql"

query = '''
process where host.os.type == "windows" and event.type == "start" and
(
  (
   (
    (process.name : "net.exe" or process.pe.original_file_name == "net.exe") or
    (
     (process.name : "net1.exe" or process.pe.original_file_name == "net1.exe") and
     not process.parent.name : "net.exe"
    )
   ) and process.args : ("accounts", "group", "user", "localgroup") and not process.args : "/add"
  ) or
  (process.name:("dsquery.exe", "dsget.exe") and process.args:("*members*", "user")) or
  (process.name:"dsquery.exe" and process.args:"*filter*") or
  process.name:("quser.exe", "qwinsta.exe", "PsGetSID.exe", "PsLoggedOn.exe", "LogonSessions.exe", "whoami.exe") or
  (
    process.name: "cmd.exe" and
    (
      process.args : "echo" and process.args : (
        "%username%", "%userdomain%", "%userdnsdomain%",
        "%userdomain_roamingprofile%", "%userprofile%",
        "%homepath%", "%localappdata%", "%appdata%"
      ) or
      process.args : "set"
    )
  )
) and not process.parent.args: "C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Microsoft Intune Management Extension\\Content\\DetectionScripts\\*.ps1"
and not process.parent.name : "LTSVC.exe" and not user.id : "S-1-5-18"
'''


[[rule.threat]]
framework = "MITRE ATT&CK"

[[rule.threat.technique]]
id = "T1033"
name = "System Owner/User Discovery"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1033/"

[[rule.threat.technique]]
id = "T1069"
name = "Permission Groups Discovery"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1069/"

[[rule.threat.technique.subtechnique]]
id = "T1069.001"
name = "Local Groups"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1069/001/"

[[rule.threat.technique.subtechnique]]
id = "T1069.002"
name = "Domain Groups"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1069/002/"

[[rule.threat.technique]]
id = "T1087"
name = "Account Discovery"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1087/"

[[rule.threat.technique.subtechnique]]
id = "T1087.001"
name = "Local Account"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1087/001/"

[[rule.threat.technique.subtechnique]]
id = "T1087.002"
name = "Domain Account"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1087/002/"

[[rule.threat.technique]]
id = "T1201"
name = "Password Policy Discovery"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1201/"

[rule.threat.tactic]
id = "TA0007"
name = "Discovery"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0007/"