Techniques
Sample rules
Windows Indirect Command Execution Via pcalua
- source: splunk
- technicques:
- T1202
Description
The following analytic detects programs initiated by pcalua.exe, the Microsoft Windows Program Compatibility Assistant. This detection leverages data from Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) agents, focusing on process and parent process information. While pcalua.exe can start legitimate programs, it is significant because attackers may use it to bypass command line execution protections. If confirmed malicious, this activity could allow attackers to execute arbitrary commands, potentially leading to unauthorized actions, privilege escalation, or persistence within the environment.
Detection logic
| tstats `security_content_summariesonly` count min(_time) as firstTime max(_time) as lastTime from datamodel=Endpoint.Processes where Processes.parent_process="*pcalua* -a*" by Processes.dest Processes.user Processes.parent_process Processes.parent_process_name Processes.process_name Processes.process Processes.process_id Processes.parent_process_id Processes.process_path
| `drop_dm_object_name(Processes)`
| `security_content_ctime(firstTime)`
| `security_content_ctime(lastTime)`
| `windows_indirect_command_execution_via_pcalua_filter`