Virtual Private Network Connection Attempt

Elastic Stack Serverless Security

Identifies the execution of macOS built-in commands to connect to an existing Virtual Private Network (VPN). Adversaries may use VPN connections to laterally move and control remote systems on a network.

Rule type: eql

Rule indices:

• auditbeat-*
• logs-endpoint.events.*

Severity: low

Risk score: 21

Runs every: 5m

Searches indices from: now-9m (https://www.elastic.co/guide/en/elasticsearch/reference/current/common-options.html#date-math[Date Math format], see also Additional look-back time)

Maximum alerts per execution: 100

References:

• https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/post/osx/manage/vpn.rb
• https://www.unix.com/man-page/osx/8/networksetup/
• https://superuser.com/questions/358513/start-configured-vpn-from-command-line-osx

Tags:

• Elastic
• Host
• macOS
• Threat Detection
• Lateral Movement

Version: 4

Rule authors:

• Elastic

Rule license: Elastic License v2

process where event.type in ("start", "process_started") and
  (
    (process.name : "networksetup" and process.args : "-connectpppoeservice") or
    (process.name : "scutil" and process.args : "--nc" and process.args : "start") or
    (process.name : "osascript" and process.command_line : "osascript*set VPN to service*")
  )

Framework: MITRE ATT&CKTM

• Tactic:

  • Name: Lateral Movement
  • ID: TA0008
  • Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0008/

• Technique:

  • Name: Remote Services
  • ID: T1021
  • Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1021/