.. /Sqlps.exe

Star

Paths:

• C:\Program files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\100\Tools\Binn\sqlps.exe
• C:\Program files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\110\Tools\Binn\sqlps.exe
• C:\Program files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\120\Tools\Binn\sqlps.exe
• C:\Program files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\130\Tools\Binn\sqlps.exe
• C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\150\Tools\Binn\SQLPS.exe

Resources:

• https://twitter.com/ManuelBerrueta/status/1527289261350760455
• https://twitter.com/bryon_/status/975835709587075072
• https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/powershell/sql-server-powershell?view=sql-server-2017

Acknowledgements:

• Bryon (@bryon_)
• Manny (@ManuelBerrueta)

Detections:

• Sigma: https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/683b63f8184b93c9564c4310d10c571cbe367e1e/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_mssql_sqlps_susp_execution.yml
• Sigma: https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/683b63f8184b93c9564c4310d10c571cbe367e1e/rules/windows/image_load/image_load_dll_system_management_automation_susp_load.yml
• Elastic: https://github.com/elastic/detection-rules/blob/5bdf70e72c6cd4547624c521108189af994af449/rules/windows/execution_suspicious_powershell_imgload.toml
• Splunk: https://github.com/splunk/security_content/blob/aa9f7e0d13a61626c69367290ed1b7b71d1281fd/docs/_posts/2021-10-05-suspicious_copy_on_system32.md

Execute

1. Run a SQL Server PowerShell mini-console without Module and ScriptBlock Logging.

   Sqlps.exe -noprofile

   Use case

   Execute PowerShell commands without ScriptBlock logging.

   Privileges required

   User

   Operating systems

   Windows

   ATT&CK® technique

   T1218