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First Time Seen DNS Query to RMM Domain

Detects DNS queries to commonly abused remote monitoring and management (RMM) or remote access software domains from processes that are not browsers. Intended to surface RMM clients, scripts, or other non-browser activity contacting these services.

Rule type: esql
Rule indices:

Rule Severity: medium
Risk Score: 47
Runs every: 5m
Searches indices from: now-7205m
Maximum alerts per execution: 100
References:

Tags:

  • Domain: Endpoint
  • OS: Windows
  • Use Case: Threat Detection
  • Tactic: Command and Control
  • Resources: Investigation Guide
  • Data Source: Elastic Defend
  • Data Source: Sysmon

Version: 3
Rule authors:

  • Elastic

Rule license: Elastic License v2

This rule flags DNS queries to commonly abused RMM or remote access domains when the requesting process is not a browser. Legitimate RMM and remote desktop software is frequently abused for C2, persistence, and lateral movement.

  • Identify the process process.executable that performed the DNS query and verify if it is an approved RMM or remote access tool.
  • Review the full process tree and parent process to understand how the binary was launched.
  • Check process.code_signature for trusted RMM publishers; unsigned or unexpected signers may indicate abuse or trojanized installers.
  • Correlate with the companion rule "First Time Seen Remote Monitoring and Management Tool" for the same host to see if the RMM process was first-time seen.
  • Investigate other alerts for the same host or user in the past 48 hours.
  • Approved RMM or remote support tools used by IT will trigger this rule; consider allowlisting by process path or code signer for known managed tools.
  • Some updaters or installers (e.g. signed by the RMM vendor) may resolve these domains; combine with process name or parent context to reduce noise.
  • If unauthorized RMM use is confirmed: isolate the host, remove the RMM software, rotate credentials, and block the domains at DNS/firewall where policy permits.
  • Enforce policy that only approved RMM tools from approved publishers may be used, and only by authorized staff.
FROM logs-endpoint.events.network-*, logs-windows.sysmon_operational-* METADATA _index
| WHERE host.os.type == "windows"
    AND event.category == "network"
    AND event.action in ("lookup_requested", "DNSEvent (DNS query)")
    AND dns.question.name IS NOT NULL

// Exclude browser processes
| WHERE NOT
    process.name IN (
        "chrome.exe", "msedge.exe", "MicrosoftEdge.exe", "MicrosoftEdgeCP.exe",
        "firefox.exe", "iexplore.exe", "safari.exe", "brave.exe",
        "opera.exe", "vivaldi.exe", "msedgewebview2.exe"
    )

// Extract the parent domain (last two labels, e.g. example.com)
| GROK dns.question.name """(?:[^.]+\.)+(?<parent_domain>[^.]+\.[^.]+)$"""
| EVAL parent_domain = COALESCE(parent_domain, dns.question.name)

// Known RMM parent domains, add or remove entries here as your environment changes.
| WHERE parent_domain IN (
    "teamviewer.com",
    "logmein.com",
    "logmeinrescue.com",
    "logmeininc.com",
    "internapcdn.net",
    "anydesk.com",
    "screenconnect.com",
    "connectwise.com",
    "splashtop.com",
    "zohoassist.com",
    "dwservice.net",
    "gotoassist.com",
    "getgo.com",
    "logmeinrescue.com",
    "rustdesk.com",
    "remoteutilities.com",
    "atera.com",
    "ammyy.com",
    "n-able.com",
    "kaseya.net",
    "bomgar.com",
    "beyondtrustcloud.com",
    "parsec.app",
    "parsecusercontent.com",
    "tailscale.com",
    "twingate.com",
    "jumpcloud.com",
    "vnc.com",
    "remotepc.com",
    "netsupportsoftware.com",
    "getscreen.me",
    "beanywhere.com",
    "swi-rc.com",
    "swi-tc.com",
    "qetqo.com",
    "tmate.io",
    "playanext.com",
    "supremocontrol.com",
    "itarian.com",
    "datto.com",
    "auvik.com",
    "syncromsp.com",
    "pulseway.com",
    "immy.bot",
    "immybot.com",
    "level.io",
    "ninjarmm.com",
    "ninjaone.com",
    "centrastage.net",
    "datto.net",
    "liongard.com",
    "naverisk.com",
    "panorama9.com",
    "superops.ai",
    "superops.com",
    "tacticalrmm.com",
    "meshcentral.com",
    "remotly.com",
    "fixme.it",
    "islonline.com",
    "zoho.eu",
    "goverlan.com",
    "iperius.net",
    "iperiusremote.com",
    "remotix.com",
    "mikogo.com",
    "r-hud.net",
    "pcvisit.de",
    "netviewer.com",
    "helpwire.app",
    "remotetopc.com",
    "rport.io",
    "action1.com",
    "tiflux.com",
    "gotoresolve.com"
)

// Aggregate by parent domain and get 1st time seen timestamp as well as unique count of agents
| STATS
    event_count = COUNT(*),
    Esql.first_time_seen = MIN(@timestamp),
    Esql.count_distinct_host_id = COUNT_DISTINCT(host.id),
    Esql.process_executable_values = VALUES(process.executable),
    Esql.dns_question_name_values = VALUES(dns.question.name),
    Esql.host_name_values = VALUES(host.name) BY parent_domain

// Calculate the time difference between first time seen and rule execution time
| eval Esql.recent = DATE_DIFF("minute", Esql.first_time_seen, now())

// First time seen is within 6m of the rule execution time and first seen in the last 5 days as per the rule from schedule and limited to 1 unique host
| where Esql.recent <= 6 and Esql.count_distinct_host_id == 1

// populate fields for rule exception
| eval host.name = MV_FIRST(Esql.host_name_values),
       process.executable = MV_FIRST(Esql.process_executable_values), dns.question.name = MV_FIRST(Esql.dns_question_name_values)
| keep host.name, process.executable, dns.question.name, Esql.*

Framework: MITRE ATT&CK