Microsoft Build Engine Using an Alternate Nameedit

An instance of MSBuild, the Microsoft Build Engine, was started after being renamed. This is uncommon behavior and may indicate an attempt to run MSBuild unnoticed or undetected.

Rule type: query

Rule indices:

  • winlogbeat-*

Severity: low

Risk score: 21

Runs every: 5 minutes

Searches indices from: now-6m (Date Math format, see also Additional look-back time)

Maximum signals per execution: 100

Tags:

  • Elastic
  • Windows

Version: 1

Added (Elastic Stack release): 7.7.0

Potential false positivesedit

The Build Engine is commonly used by Windows developers but use by non-engineers is unusual.

Rule queryedit

(pe.original_file_name:MSBuild.exe or
winlog.event_data.OriginalFileName: MSBuild.exe) and not process.name:
MSBuild.exe and event.action: "Process Create (rule: ProcessCreate)"

Threat mappingedit

Framework: MITRE ATT&CKTM