The detection identifies the use of LiteManager, a Remote Management and Monitoring tool, to create processes that may indicate adversary persistence or command and control activity. SOC teams should proactively hunt for this behavior in Azure Sentinel to detect potential abuse of legitimate RMM tools by adversaries leveraging T1219 techniques.
KQL Query
let Time_start = now(-5d);
let Time_end = now();
//
DeviceProcessEvents
| where Timestamp between (Time_start..Time_end)
| where ProcessVersionInfoProductName has_any (
'LiteManager',
'ROMViewer',
'ROMServer'
)
| summarize FirstSeen=min(Timestamp), LastSeen=max(Timestamp),
Report=make_set(ReportId), Count=count() by DeviceId, DeviceName
id: 02481117-1b9e-4afa-8b88-b3b7e9089c91
name: Remote Management and Monitoring tool - LiteManager - Create Process
description: |
Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) programs are IT to manage remote endpoints. Attackers have begun to abuse these programs to persist or provide C2 channels.
https://github.com/jischell-msft/RemoteManagementMonitoringTools
requiredDataConnectors:
- connectorId: MicrosoftThreatProtection
dataTypes:
- DeviceProcessEvents
tactics: CommandAndControl
relevantTechniques: T1219
query: |
let Time_start = now(-5d);
let Time_end = now();
//
DeviceProcessEvents
| where Timestamp between (Time_start..Time_end)
| where ProcessVersionInfoProductName has_any (
'LiteManager',
'ROMViewer',
'ROMServer'
)
| summarize FirstSeen=min(Timestamp), LastSeen=max(Timestamp),
Report=make_set(ReportId), Count=count() by DeviceId, DeviceName
| Sentinel Table | Notes |
|---|---|
DeviceProcessEvents | Ensure this data connector is enabled |
Scenario: Scheduled Job Execution by LiteManager
Description: A legitimate scheduled job is created by LiteManager to perform routine system maintenance or patching.
Filter/Exclusion: process.parent_process_name != "LiteManager" OR process.command_line contains "scheduled_task"
Scenario: Admin Task to Deploy Software via LiteManager
Description: An IT admin uses LiteManager to deploy software updates across endpoints, which triggers the rule due to process creation.
Filter/Exclusion: process.command_line contains "software deployment" OR process.user contains "ITAdmin"
Scenario: Remote System Monitoring via LiteManager
Description: LiteManager is used to monitor system performance and create processes as part of its monitoring functions.
Filter/Exclusion: process.command_line contains "monitoring" OR process.parent_process_name contains "LiteManager"
Scenario: User-Initiated Remote Support Session
Description: A user initiates a remote support session using LiteManager, which results in a new process being created.
Filter/Exclusion: process.user contains "support_user" OR process.command_line contains "remote support"
Scenario: Automated Patching via LiteManager
Description: LiteManager is configured to automatically apply patches, which involves creating new processes on managed endpoints.
Filter/Exclusion: process.command_line contains "patching" OR process.parent_process_name contains "LiteManager"