Detectionhightest
Potential Privilege Escalation Using Symlink Between Osk and Cmd
Detects the creation of a symbolic link between "cmd.exe" and the accessibility on-screen keyboard binary (osk.exe) using "mklink". This technique provides an elevated command prompt to the user from the login screen without the need to log in.
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Launch
Log Source
WindowsProcess Creation
ProductWindows← raw: windows
CategoryProcess Creation← raw: process_creation
Events generated when a new process is spawned on the system. Covers command-line arguments, parent/child relationships, and process metadata.
Detection Logic
Detection Logic2 selectors
detection:
selection_img:
- Image|endswith: '\cmd.exe'
- OriginalFileName: 'Cmd.Exe'
selection_cli:
CommandLine|contains|all:
- 'mklink'
- '\osk.exe'
- '\cmd.exe'
condition: all of selection_*False Positives
Unknown
False positive likelihood has not been assessed. Additional context may be needed during triage.
MITRE ATT&CK
Sub-techniques
Rule Metadata
Rule ID
e9b61244-893f-427c-b287-3e708f321c6b
Status
test
Level
high
Type
Detection
Created
Sun Dec 11
Modified
Tue Dec 20
Author
Path
rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_cmd_mklink_osk_cmd.yml
Raw Tags
attack.privilege-escalationattack.persistenceattack.t1546.008