Windows Event Log Evasion via Native APIs

Created the Monday 27 June 2022. Updated 1 year, 2 months ago.

Attackers can leverage native Windows API calls to install malicious services without generating correlating entries in the event log. Using native APIs to install services instead of the standard API calls allow attackers to bypass security controls and event logging. This technique was utilised by Stuxnet.

Services are typically created through a standard Windows API call CreateServiceA or CreateService. This API is also called by the service creating Windows native tool “sc.exe” to register a service on a machine. A call to this API subsequently generates entries in the event log which corresponds to the service creation event IDs.

Attackers can create services without relying on the typical API call CreateServiceA by directly interacting with the Windows native API calls instead. For example, the StartService API will a make a call to the native API NdrClientCall2 along with registering the service start events in the event logs.

By directly calling NdrClientCall2 to start a service that’s had the registry keys manually created, the service is started and running, and no event logs are created allowing to evade forensic analysis. This will result in a malicious service running and without any event log entry.

To take this a step further, attackers can remove the evidence in the registry and any correlating evidence loaded in the memory of “services.exe”. This leaves with no registry artefacts and no event log information to analyse.

Featured Windows API's

Below, you will find a list of the most commonly used Windows API's that are currently utilized by malware authors for current evasion technique. This list is meant to provide an overview of the API's that are commonly used for this purpose. If there are any API's that you feel should be included on this list, please do not hesitate to contact us. We will be happy to update the list and provide any additional information or documentation that may be helpful.

• CreateServiceA
• GetTickCount

Additional Resources

External Links

The resources provided below are associated links that will give you even more detailed information and research on current evasion technique. It is important to note that, while these resources may be helpful, it is important to exercise caution when following external links. As always, be careful when clicking on links from unknown sources, as they may lead to malicious content.

• Windows Event Log Evasion via Native APIs