Detection Strategy for System Services across OS platforms.

Technique Detected:  System Services | T1569

ID: DET0279
Domains: Enterprise
Analytics: AN0778, AN0779, AN0780
Version: 1.0
Created: 21 October 2025
Last Modified: 21 October 2025

Analytics

AN0778

Monitor for abnormal creation or modification of Windows services (e.g., via sc.exe, PowerShell, or API calls) that load non-standard executables. Correlate registry changes in service keys with service creation events and process execution to detect service abuse for persistence or execution.

Log Sources
Data Component Name Channel
Service Creation (DC0060) WinEventLog:Security EventCode=4697
Process Creation (DC0032) WinEventLog:Sysmon EventCode=1
Windows Registry Key Modification (DC0063) WinEventLog:Sysmon EventCode=13
Mutable Elements
Field Description
ServiceAllowlist Known good services and installers that regularly modify or create services
TimeWindow Threshold for correlating service creation with unusual process execution

AN0779

Detect unusual invocations of systemctl, service, or init scripts creating or modifying daemons. Monitor audit logs for execution of binaries from unexpected paths linked to service start/stop activity.

Log Sources
Data Component Name Channel
Process Creation (DC0032) auditd:SYSCALL execve
Service Creation (DC0060) linux:syslog systemctl start/enable with uncommon binary paths
File Modification (DC0061) auditd:SYSCALL write
Mutable Elements
Field Description
ServiceBinaryPaths Valid directories for service binaries to filter out benign changes
UserContext Expected accounts performing service management (e.g., root/admin)

AN0780

Monitor launchd service definitions and property list (.plist) modifications for non-standard executables. Detect unauthorized processes registered as launch daemons or agents.

Log Sources
Data Component Name Channel
Process Creation (DC0032) macos:unifiedlog Unexpected processes registered with launchd
File Modification (DC0061) macos:unifiedlog Modification of LaunchAgents or LaunchDaemons plist files
Mutable Elements
Field Description
PlistAllowlist Known launch agents/daemons expected to be modified by updates or IT tools
PayloadEntropyThreshold Entropy level for detecting suspicious binary payloads in launchd services