SQLToolsPS.exe

Tool included with Microsoft SQL that loads SQL Server cmdlts. A replacement for sqlps.exe. Successor to sqlps.exe in SQL Server 2016+.

Paths

• C:\Program files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\130\Tools\Binn\sqlps.exe

Commands

Execute

Run a SQL Server PowerShell mini-console without Module and ScriptBlock Logging.

Use case: Execute PowerShell command.

Privileges: User

SQLToolsPS.exe -noprofile -command Start-Process {PATH:.exe}

Detection

• Sigma: https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/683b63f8184b93c9564c4310d10c571cbe367e1e/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_mssql_sqltoolsps_susp_execution.yml
• Splunk: https://github.com/splunk/security_content/blob/aa9f7e0d13a61626c69367290ed1b7b71d1281fd/docs/_posts/2021-10-05-suspicious_copy_on_system32.md

Resources

• https://twitter.com/pabraeken/status/993298228840992768
• https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/powershell/sql-server-powershell?view=sql-server-2017