ESXi VM Kill Via ESXCLI

Title: ESXi VM Kill Via ESXCLI
Status: test
Description:Detects execution of the "esxcli" command with the "vm" and "kill" flag in order to kill/shutdown a specific VM.
References:
  -https://www.crowdstrike.com/blog/hypervisor-jackpotting-ecrime-actors-increase-targeting-of-esxi-servers/
  -https://developer.broadcom.com/xapis/esxcli-command-reference/7.0.0/namespace/esxcli_vm.html
  -https://www.secuinfra.com/en/techtalk/hide-your-hypervisor-analysis-of-esxiargs-ransomware/
  -https://www.trendmicro.com/en_us/research/22/e/new-linux-based-ransomware-cheerscrypt-targets-exsi-devices.html
Author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), Cedric Maurugeon
Date: 2023-09-04
modified:None
Tags:

• -'attack.execution'
• -'attack.impact'
• -'attack.t1059.012'
• -'attack.t1529'

Logsource:

• category: process_creation
• product: linux

Detection:
  selection:
    Image|endswith: '/esxcli'
    CommandLine|contains|all:
      -'vm process'
      -'kill'

  condition:selection
Falsepositives:
  -Legitimate administration activities
Level: medium