Detect Remote Access via USB Hardware (TinyPilot, PiKVM)

ID: DET0159
Domains: Enterprise
Analytics: AN0446, AN0447, AN0448
Version: 1.0
Created: 21 October 2025
Last Modified: 21 October 2025

Analytics

AN0446

Detection of USB-based remote access hardware (e.g., TinyPilot, PiKVM) attached to the host via drive or peripheral enumeration, triggering vendor identifiers or unusual EDID announcements.

Log Sources
Data Component Name Channel
Drive Creation (DC0042) WinEventLog:Microsoft-Windows-DriverFrameworks-UserMode/Operational EventCode=2003
Mutable Elements
Field Description
VendorID Device vendor strings may need tuning to include additional remote hardware sources.
SerialNumber Serial numbers for known implants can vary per campaign and may need expansion.
TimeWindow Adjust the detection window for peripheral enumeration based on environment and operating hours.

AN0447

Insertion of USB-based hardware proxies (e.g., PiKVM) which register under predictable names (e.g., tinypilot) or mount under known paths (e.g., /opt/tinypilot-privileged).

Log Sources
Data Component Name Channel
Drive Creation (DC0042) auditd:SYSCALL udev events or drive enumeration involving TinyPilot paths or device classes
Mutable Elements
Field Description
FriendlyName Different hardware may present differently; names like 'TinyPilot' may need expanding to cover custom implants.
MountPath Path matching (e.g., /opt/tinypilot) is mutable based on distro, customization, and staging.

AN0448

Attachment of hardware-backed USB KVM devices (e.g., TinyPilot) that enumerate new HID or serial communication interfaces with identifiable metadata.

Log Sources
Data Component Name Channel
Drive Creation (DC0042) macos:unifiedlog Hardware enumeration events via IOKit or USBMuxd showing TinyPilot or unknown keyboard/mouse
Mutable Elements
Field Description
DeviceClass Input or HID devices may be benign or malicious depending on context; tune based on environment (e.g., BYOD/dev stations).
SerialCorrelationDepth Correlating serials across multiple device insertions may reduce noise but requires tuning.