LoFP / direct ps command execution through sqltoolsps.exe is uncommon, childprocess sqltoolsps.exe spawned by smss.exe is a legitimate action.

Techniques

• t1059
• t1059.001
• t1127

Sample rules

SQL Client Tools PowerShell Session Detection

• source: sigma
• technicques:
  • t1059
  • t1059.001
  • t1127

Description

This rule detects execution of a PowerShell code through the sqltoolsps.exe utility, which is included in the standard set of utilities supplied with the Microsoft SQL Server Management studio. Script blocks are not logged in this case, so this utility helps to bypass protection mechanisms based on the analysis of these logs.

Detection logic

condition: selection and not filter
filter:
  ParentImage|endswith: \smss.exe
selection:
- Image|endswith: \sqltoolsps.exe
- ParentImage|endswith: \sqltoolsps.exe
- OriginalFileName: \sqltoolsps.exe