Sigma rule: DNS Query To Remote Access Software Domain From Non-Browser App

Rule

Title

DNS Query To Remote Access Software Domain From Non-Browser App

Status

test

Level

medium

Author

frack113, Connor Martin

Date

2022-07-11

Modified

2024-12-17

File

rules/windows/dns_query/dns_query_win_remote_access_software_domains_non_browsers.yml

Commit

ccbb0369507f796db0b0ae6854c8a2be471b9d84

An adversary may use legitimate desktop support and remote access software, such as Team Viewer, Go2Assist, LogMein, AmmyyAdmin, etc, to establish an interactive command and control channel to target systems within networks.
These services are commonly used as legitimate technical support software, and may be allowed by application control within a target environment.
Remote access tools like VNC, Ammyy, and Teamviewer are used frequently when compared with other legitimate software commonly used by adversaries. (Citation: Symantec Living off the Land)

Log source

product

windows

category

dns_query

Detection

selection_generic:
    QueryName|endswith:
        - 'agent.jumpcloud.com'
        - 'agentreporting.atera.com'
        - 'ammyy.com'
        - 'api.parsec.app'
        - 'api.playanext.com'
        - 'api.splashtop.com'
        - 'app.atera.com'
        - 'assist.zoho.com'
        - 'authentication.logmeininc.com'
        - 'beyondtrustcloud.com'
        - 'cdn.kaseya.net'
        - 'client.teamviewer.com'
        - 'comserver.corporate.beanywhere.com'
        - 'control.connectwise.com'
        - 'downloads.zohocdn.com'
        - 'dwservice.net'
        - 'express.gotoassist.com'
        - 'getgo.com'
        - 'getscreen.me'  # https://x.com/malmoeb/status/1868757130624614860?s=12&t=C0_T_re0wRP_NfKa27Xw9w
        - 'integratedchat.teamviewer.com'
        - 'join.zoho.com'
        - 'kickstart.jumpcloud.com'
        - 'license.bomgar.com'
        - 'logmein-gateway.com'
        - 'logmein.com'
        - 'logmeincdn.http.internapcdn.net'
        - 'n-able.com'
        - 'net.anydesk.com'
        - 'netsupportsoftware.com' # For NetSupport Manager RAT
        - 'parsecusercontent.com'
        - 'pubsub.atera.com'
        - 'relay.kaseya.net'
        - 'relay.screenconnect.com'
        - 'relay.splashtop.com'
        - 'remoteassistance.support.services.microsoft.com' # Quick Assist Application
        - 'remotedesktop-pa.googleapis.com'
        - 'remoteutilities.com' # Usage of Remote Utilities RAT
        - 'secure.logmeinrescue.com'
        - 'services.vnc.com'
        - 'static.remotepc.com'
        - 'swi-rc.com'
        - 'swi-tc.com'
        - 'tailscale.com' # Scattered Spider threat group used this RMM tool
        - 'telemetry.servers.qetqo.com'
        - 'tmate.io'
        - 'twingate.com'  # Scattered Spider threat group used this RMM tool
        - 'zohoassist.com'
selection_rustdesk:  # https://twitter.com/malmoeb/status/1668504345132822531?s=20 and https://www.adamsdesk.com/posts/rustdesk-not-connecting/ mention this pattern
    QueryName|endswith: '.rustdesk.com'
    QueryName|startswith: 'rs-'
# Exclude browsers for legitimate visits of the domains mentioned above
# Add missing browsers you use and exclude the ones you don't
filter_optional_chrome:
    Image:
        - 'C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe'
        - 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe'
filter_optional_firefox:
    Image:
        - 'C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe'
        - 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe'
filter_optional_ie:
    Image:
        - 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe'
        - 'C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe'
filter_optional_edge_1:
    - Image|startswith: 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\EdgeWebView\Application\'
    - Image|endswith: '\WindowsApps\MicrosoftEdge.exe'
    - Image:
          - 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Edge\Application\msedge.exe'
          - 'C:\Program Files\Microsoft\Edge\Application\msedge.exe'
filter_optional_edge_2:
    Image|startswith:
        - 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\EdgeCore\'
        - 'C:\Program Files\Microsoft\EdgeCore\'
    Image|endswith:
        - '\msedge.exe'
        - '\msedgewebview2.exe'
filter_optional_safari:
    Image|endswith: '\safari.exe'
filter_optional_defender:
    Image|endswith:
        - '\MsMpEng.exe' # Microsoft Defender executable
        - '\MsSense.exe' # Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection Service Executable
filter_optional_brave:
    Image|endswith: '\brave.exe'
    Image|startswith: 'C:\Program Files\BraveSoftware\'
filter_optional_maxthon:
    Image|contains: '\AppData\Local\Maxthon\'
    Image|endswith: '\maxthon.exe'
filter_optional_opera:
    Image|contains: '\AppData\Local\Programs\Opera\'
    Image|endswith: '\opera.exe'
filter_optional_seamonkey:
    Image|startswith:
        - 'C:\Program Files\SeaMonkey\'
        - 'C:\Program Files (x86)\SeaMonkey\'
    Image|endswith: '\seamonkey.exe'
filter_optional_vivaldi:
    Image|contains: '\AppData\Local\Vivaldi\'
    Image|endswith: '\vivaldi.exe'
filter_optional_whale:
    Image|startswith:
        - 'C:\Program Files\Naver\Naver Whale\'
        - 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Naver\Naver Whale\'
    Image|endswith: '\whale.exe'
filter_optional_tor:
    Image|contains: '\Tor Browser\'
filter_optional_whaterfox:
    Image|startswith:
        - 'C:\Program Files\Waterfox\'
        - 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Waterfox\'
    Image|endswith: '\Waterfox.exe'
filter_optional_midori:
    Image|contains: '\AppData\Local\Programs\midori-ng\'
    Image|endswith: '\Midori Next Generation.exe'
filter_optional_slimbrowser:
    Image|startswith:
        - 'C:\Program Files\SlimBrowser\'
        - 'C:\Program Files (x86)\SlimBrowser\'
    Image|endswith: '\slimbrowser.exe'
filter_optional_flock:
    Image|contains: '\AppData\Local\Flock\'
    Image|endswith: '\Flock.exe'
filter_optional_phoebe:
    Image|contains: '\AppData\Local\Phoebe\'
    Image|endswith: '\Phoebe.exe'
filter_optional_falkon:
    Image|startswith:
        - 'C:\Program Files\Falkon\'
        - 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Falkon\'
    Image|endswith: '\falkon.exe'
filter_optional_avant:
    Image|startswith:
        - 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Avant Browser\'
        - 'C:\Program Files\Avant Browser\'
    Image|endswith: '\avant.exe'
condition: 1 of selection_* and not 1 of filter_optional_*

False positives (as the rule lists them)

• Likely with other browser software. Apply additional filters for any other browsers you might use.

Tags

• attack.command-and-control
• attack.t1219.002

MITRE ATT&CK ids this rule names

• T1219.002

Related rules

• 71ba22cb-8a01-42e2-a6dd-5bf9b547498f (obsolete)
• 7c4cf8e0-1362-48b2-a512-b606d2065d7d (obsolete)
• ed785237-70fa-46f3-83b6-d264d1dc6eb4 (obsolete)

References

• https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1219/T1219.md#atomic-test-4---gotoassist-files-detected-test-on-windows
• https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1219/T1219.md#atomic-test-3---logmein-files-detected-test-on-windows
• https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1219/T1219.md#atomic-test-6---ammyy-admin-software-execution
• https://redcanary.com/blog/misbehaving-rats/
• https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-sentinel-blog/hunting-for-omi-vulnerability-exploitation-with-azure-sentinel/ba-p/2764093
• https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/cybersecurity-advisories/aa23-320a
• https://blog.sekoia.io/scattered-spider-laying-new-eggs/
• https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/client-management/client-tools/quick-assist#disable-quick-assist-within-your-organization

Read on 2026-11-03T00:58:21.399Z under licence sigma-drl-1.1@d5f4c36a from https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/ccbb0369507f796db0b0ae6854c8a2be471b9d84/rules/windows/dns_query/dns_query_win_remote_access_software_domains_non_browsers.yml