sc - SpecterOps Open Source

Summary

.NET implementation of the Service Control Manager binary sc.exe for querying, starting, stopping, creating, deleting, and modifying Windows services on local and remote systems. Provides comprehensive service management capabilities with detailed service information and interactive UI features.

Needs Admin: False (some operations require elevated privileges)
Version: 3
Author: @djhohnstein

Arguments

The sc command supports multiple operation modes through parameter groups:

Query Mode

query (Boolean) - Query services on target system
computer (String, Optional) - Target computer name
service (String, Optional) - Specific service name to query
display_name (String, Optional) - Service display name filter

Start Mode

start (Boolean) - Start specified service
service (String, Required) - Service name to start
computer (String, Optional) - Target computer name

Stop Mode

stop (Boolean) - Stop specified service
service (String, Required) - Service name to stop
computer (String, Optional) - Target computer name

Create Mode

create (Boolean) - Create new service
service (String, Required) - Service name
display_name (String, Required) - Service display name
binpath (String, Required) - Path to service executable
computer (String, Optional) - Target computer name

Delete Mode

delete (Boolean) - Delete specified service
service (String, Required) - Service name to delete
computer (String, Optional) - Target computer name

Modify Mode

modify (Boolean) - Modify existing service
service (String, Required) - Service name to modify
computer (String, Optional) - Target computer name
binpath (String, Optional) - New binary path
display_name (String, Optional) - New display name
description (String, Optional) - Service description
run_as (String, Optional) - Service account username
password (String, Optional) - Service account password
service_type (String, Optional) - Service type
start_type (String, Optional) - Service start type
dependencies (String Array, Optional) - Service dependencies

Usage

# Query all services locally
sc -Query

# Query specific service
sc -Query -ServiceName "Spooler"

# Query services on remote computer
sc -Query -Computer DC01

# Start a service
sc -Start -ServiceName "Spooler"

# Stop a service on remote computer
sc -Stop -ServiceName "Spooler" -Computer DC01

# Create a new service
sc -Create -ServiceName "MyService" -DisplayName "My Custom Service" -BinPath "C:\MyService.exe"

# Delete a service
sc -Delete -ServiceName "MyService"

# Modify service binary path
sc -Modify -ServiceName "MyService" -BinPath "C:\NewPath\MyService.exe"

Output:

Interactive table with columns:
- Actions (Start/Stop/Delete/Modify/More Info buttons)
- Status (Running/Stopped/etc.)
- PID (Process ID if running)
- Service Name
- Display Name
- Binary Path

Detailed Summary

Agent Execution Flow

1. Parameter Processing and Validation

[DataContract]
internal struct ScParameters
{
    [DataMember(Name = "query")] public bool Query;
    [DataMember(Name = "start")] public bool Start;
    [DataMember(Name = "stop")] public bool Stop;
    [DataMember(Name = "create")] public bool Create;
    [DataMember(Name = "delete")] public bool Delete;
    [DataMember(Name = "modify")] public bool Modify;
    [DataMember(Name = "computer")] public string Computer;
    [DataMember(Name = "service")] public string Service;
    [DataMember(Name = "display_name")] public string DisplayName;
    [DataMember(Name = "binpath")] public string Binpath;
    [DataMember(Name = "run_as")] public string RunAs;
    [DataMember(Name = "password")] public string Password;
    [DataMember(Name = "service_type")] public string ServiceTypeParam;
    [DataMember(Name = "start_type")] public string StartType;
    [DataMember(Name = "dependencies")] public string[] Dependencies;
    [DataMember(Name = "description")] public string Description;
}

Deserializes parameters from JSON input
Validates required parameters for each operation mode
Sets default computer name to local machine if not specified
Ensures mutual exclusivity of operation modes

2. Parameter Validation Logic

private void ValidateParameters(ScParameters args)
{
    if (args.Start && string.IsNullOrEmpty(args.Service))
        throw new Exception("Start action requires service name to start.");
    
    if (args.Stop && string.IsNullOrEmpty(args.Service))
        throw new Exception("Stop action requires service name to stop.");
    
    if (args.Create && (string.IsNullOrEmpty(args.Service) || string.IsNullOrEmpty(args.Binpath)))
        throw new Exception("Create action requires service name and binpath.");
    
    if (args.Delete && string.IsNullOrEmpty(args.Service))
        throw new Exception("Delete action requires service name to delete.");
    
    if (args.Modify && string.IsNullOrEmpty(args.Service))
        throw new Exception("Modify action requires service name to modify.");
}

Validates required parameters for each operation mode
Prevents execution with incomplete parameter sets
Provides clear error messages for missing requirements

3. Service Control Manager Connection

ServiceControlHandle OpenSCManager(string lpMachineName, string lpSCDB, SCMAccess scParameter)

ServiceControlHandle serviceMangerHandle = _pOpenSCManager(
    parameters.Computer, 
    null, 
    SCMAccess.SC_MANAGER_ENUMERATE_SERVICE
);

if (serviceMangerHandle.IsInvalid)
    throw new Exception($"Failed to open SCM: {new Win32Exception().Message}");

Opens connection to Service Control Manager on target system
Uses appropriate access rights based on operation type
Handles connection failures with detailed error messages
Supports both local and remote service management

4. Service Enumeration (Query Mode)

private static List<ServiceResult> QueryServies(ScParameters parameters, string action)
{
    // First call to get buffer size needed
    bool result = _pEnumServicesStatusEx(
        serviceMangerHandle,
        ServiceInfoLevel.SC_ENUM_PROCESS_INFO,
        (int) ServiceType.SERVICE_WIN32,
        (int) ServiceStateRequest.SERVICE_STATE_ALL,
        IntPtr.Zero,
        0,
        out uint iBytesNeeded,
        out uint iServicesReturned,
        ref iResumeHandle,
        null);

    // Allocate memory and get actual service data
    buf = Marshal.AllocHGlobal((int) iBytesNeeded);
    result = _pEnumServicesStatusEx(/* ... with allocated buffer ... */);
    
    // Parse results into service objects
    ENUM_SERVICE_STATUS_PROCESS[] serviceArray = GetServiceStatuses(buf, iServicesReturned);
}

Enumerates all services on target system
Uses two-phase approach: size calculation then data retrieval
Handles memory allocation and deallocation properly
Supports filtering by service name when specified

5. Service Configuration Retrieval

private static QUERY_SERVICE_CONFIG GetServiceConfig(ServiceControlHandle serviceHandle)
{
    // Get required buffer size
    bool retCode = _pQueryServiceConfig(serviceHandle, IntPtr.Zero, 0, out uint bytesNeeded);
    
    // Allocate and retrieve configuration
    IntPtr qscPtr = Marshal.AllocCoTaskMem((int)bytesNeeded);
    retCode = _pQueryServiceConfig(serviceHandle, qscPtr, bytesNeeded, out bytesNeeded);
    
    return (QUERY_SERVICE_CONFIG)Marshal.PtrToStructure(qscPtr, typeof(QUERY_SERVICE_CONFIG));
}

private static string GetServiceDescription(ServiceControlHandle serviceHandle)
{
    _pQueryServiceConfig2(serviceHandle, ConfigInfoLevel.SERVICE_CONFIG_DESCRIPTION, 
        IntPtr.Zero, 0, out uint dwBytesNeeded);
    
    IntPtr ptr = Marshal.AllocHGlobal((int)dwBytesNeeded);
    bool success = _pQueryServiceConfig2(serviceHandle, ConfigInfoLevel.SERVICE_CONFIG_DESCRIPTION, 
        ptr, dwBytesNeeded, out dwBytesNeeded);
    
    SERVICE_DESCRIPTION sd = new SERVICE_DESCRIPTION();
    Marshal.PtrToStructure(ptr, sd);
    return sd.lpDescription;
}

Retrieves detailed service configuration information
Gets service description through separate API call
Properly manages memory allocation for variable-length data
Handles configuration retrieval failures gracefully

6. Service State Management

// Service Start Operation
ServiceController instance = new ServiceController(parameters.Service, parameters.Computer);
if (instance.Status == ServiceControllerStatus.Running)
{
    // Service already running
}
else
{
    instance.Start();
    ST.Task waitForServiceAsync = new ST.Task(() => { 
        instance.WaitForStatus(ServiceControllerStatus.Running); 
    }, _cancellationToken.Token);
    waitForServiceAsync.Start();
}

// Service Stop Operation
ServiceController stopInstance = new ServiceController(parameters.Service, parameters.Computer);
if (stopInstance.Status == ServiceControllerStatus.Stopped)
{
    // Service already stopped
}
else
{
    stopInstance.Stop();
    ST.Task stopTask = new ST.Task(() => { 
        stopInstance.WaitForStatus(ServiceControllerStatus.Stopped); 
    });
}

Uses .NET ServiceController class for state management
Implements asynchronous waiting for state changes
Supports cancellation during state transitions
Provides feedback on current service state

7. Service Creation and Installation

private static bool InstallService(string hostname, string ServiceName, string ServiceDisplayName, string ServiceEXE)
{
    // Remove existing service if present
    try { UninstallService(hostname, ServiceName); }
    catch (Exception) { }
    
    ServiceControlHandle scmHandle = _pOpenSCManager(hostname, null, SCMAccess.SC_MANAGER_CREATE_SERVICE);
    ServiceControlHandle serviceHandle = _pCreateService(
        scmHandle,
        ServiceName,
        ServiceDisplayName,
        ServiceAccess.SERVICE_ALL_ACCESS,
        ServiceType.SERVICE_WIN32_OWN_PROCESS,
        ServiceStartType.SERVICE_AUTO_START,
        ServiceErrorControl.SERVICE_ERROR_NORMAL,
        ServiceEXE,
        null,           // LoadOrderGroup
        IntPtr.Zero,    // TagId
        null,           // Dependencies
        null,           // ServiceStartName
        null);          // Password
    
    return !serviceHandle.IsInvalid;
}

Creates new Windows service with specified parameters
Automatically removes existing service with same name
Uses standard service configuration defaults
Provides comprehensive error handling

8. Service Modification

private static void ModifyService(ScParameters parameters)
{
    const uint SERVICE_NO_CHANGE = 0xFFFFFFFF;
    
    ServiceControlHandle serviceHandle = _pOpenService(serviceMangerHandle, parameters.Service, 
        ServiceAccess.SERVICE_CHANGE_CONFIG);
    
    // Prepare modification parameters
    uint newServiceType = SERVICE_NO_CHANGE;
    uint newStartType = SERVICE_NO_CHANGE;
    string newBinPath = parameters.Binpath;
    string newDisplayName = parameters.DisplayName;
    string newServiceStartName = parameters.RunAs;
    string newPassword = parameters.Password;
    
    // Handle dependencies array
    string newDepends = null;
    if (parameters.Dependencies != null)
    {
        foreach (string depend in parameters.Dependencies)
            newDepends += depend + "\0";
        newDepends += "\0";
    }
    
    // Apply changes
    bool success = _pChangeServiceConfig(serviceHandle, newServiceType, newStartType, 
        SERVICE_NO_CHANGE, newBinPath, null, IntPtr.Zero, newDepends, 
        newServiceStartName, newPassword, newDisplayName);
    
    // Set description separately
    if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(parameters.Description))
        SetServiceDescription(serviceHandle, parameters.Description);
}

Modifies existing service configuration
Supports partial updates using SERVICE_NO_CHANGE constant
Handles dependencies as null-terminated string array
Updates service description through separate API call

9. Interactive UI Features

// Browser script generates interactive table with action buttons
{
    "actions": {"button": {
        "name": "Actions",
        "type": "menu",
        "startIcon": "list",
        "value": [
            {
                "name": "Start",
                "type": "task",
                "ui_feature": "sc:start",
                "parameters": JSON.stringify({
                    "start": true,
                    "computer": jinfo["computer"],
                    "service": jinfo["service"]
                }),
                "disabled": !isStart,
                "hoverText": "Start Service"
            },
            // ... additional buttons for Stop, Delete, Modify, More Info
        ]
    }}
}

Generates interactive table with action buttons
Buttons are enabled/disabled based on service state
Supports direct service management from UI
Provides detailed service information in popup dialogs

API Function Resolution

Required Windows APIs

public sc(IAgent agent, MythicTask data) : base(agent, data)
{
    _pDeleteService = _agent.GetApi().GetLibraryFunction<DeleteService>(Library.ADVAPI32, "DeleteService");
    _pOpenService = _agent.GetApi().GetLibraryFunction<OpenService>(Library.ADVAPI32, "OpenServiceA");
    _pStartService = _agent.GetApi().GetLibraryFunction<StartService>(Library.ADVAPI32, "StartServiceA");
    _pCloseServiceHandle = _agent.GetApi().GetLibraryFunction<CloseServiceHandle>(Library.ADVAPI32, "CloseServiceHandle");
    _pOpenSCManager = _agent.GetApi().GetLibraryFunction<OpenSCManager>(Library.ADVAPI32, "OpenSCManagerA");
    _pCreateService = _agent.GetApi().GetLibraryFunction<CreateService>(Library.ADVAPI32, "CreateServiceA");
    _pControlService = _agent.GetApi().GetLibraryFunction<ControlService>(Library.ADVAPI32, "ControlService");
    _pEnumServicesStatusEx = _agent.GetApi().GetLibraryFunction<EnumServicesStatusEx>(Library.ADVAPI32, "EnumServicesStatusExW");
    _pQueryServiceConfig2 = _agent.GetApi().GetLibraryFunction<QueryServiceConfig2>(Library.ADVAPI32, "QueryServiceConfig2W");
    _pQueryServiceConfig = _agent.GetApi().GetLibraryFunction<QueryServiceConfig>(Library.ADVAPI32, "QueryServiceConfigW");
    _pChangeServiceConfig = _agent.GetApi().GetLibraryFunction<ChangeServiceConfig>(Library.ADVAPI32, "ChangeServiceConfigA");
    _pChangeServiceConfig2 = _agent.GetApi().GetLibraryFunction<ChangeServiceConfig2>(Library.ADVAPI32, "ChangeServiceConfig2W");
}

Dynamically resolves all required service management APIs
Uses both ANSI and Unicode variants as appropriate
Leverages Apollo’s API resolution framework
Provides comprehensive service management capabilities

Data Structures

ServiceResult Output Structure

[DataContract]
internal struct ServiceResult
{
    [DataMember(Name = "display_name")] public string DisplayName;
    [DataMember(Name = "service")] public string Service;
    [DataMember(Name = "status")] public string Status;
    [DataMember(Name = "can_stop")] public bool CanStop;
    [DataMember(Name = "dependencies")] public string[] Dependencies;
    [DataMember(Name = "service_type")] public string SvcType;
    [DataMember(Name = "start_type")] public string StartType;
    [DataMember(Name = "description")] public string Description;
    [DataMember(Name = "computer")] public string Computer;
    [DataMember(Name = "binary_path")] public string BinaryPath;
    [DataMember(Name = "load_order_group")] public string LoadOrderGroup;
    [DataMember(Name = "run_as")] public string RunAs;
    [DataMember(Name = "error_control")] public string ErrorControl;
    [DataMember(Name = "pid")] public string PID;
    [DataMember(Name = "accepted_controls")] public string[] AcceptedControls;
    [DataMember(Name = "action")] public string Action;
}

Memory Management

[SecurityPermission(SecurityAction.InheritanceDemand, UnmanagedCode = true)]
[SecurityPermission(SecurityAction.Demand, UnmanagedCode = true)]
public class ServiceControlHandle : SafeHandleZeroOrMinusOneIsInvalid
{
    private ServiceControlHandle() : base(true) { }

    [ReliabilityContract(Consistency.WillNotCorruptState, Cer.MayFail)]
    protected override bool ReleaseHandle()
    {
        return _pCloseServiceHandle(this.handle);
    }
}

Implements proper handle management through SafeHandle
Ensures automatic cleanup of service handles
Provides constrained execution region guarantees
Prevents handle leaks in error scenarios

Service Type and State Enumerations

Service Types

[Flags]
public enum ServiceType : uint
{
    SERVICE_KERNEL_DRIVER = 0x1,
    SERVICE_FILE_SYSTEM_DRIVER = 0x2,
    SERVICE_WIN32_OWN_PROCESS = 0x10,
    SERVICE_WIN32_SHARE_PROCESS = 0x20,
    SERVICE_INTERACTIVE_PROCESS = 0x100,
    SERVICE_WIN32 = (SERVICE_WIN32_OWN_PROCESS | SERVICE_WIN32_SHARE_PROCESS)
}

Service States

public enum SERVICE_STATE : uint
{
    SERVICE_STOPPED = 0x00000001,
    SERVICE_START_PENDING = 0x00000002,
    SERVICE_STOP_PENDING = 0x00000003,
    SERVICE_RUNNING = 0x00000004,
    SERVICE_CONTINUE_PENDING = 0x00000005,
    SERVICE_PAUSE_PENDING = 0x00000006,
    SERVICE_PAUSED = 0x00000007
}

Service Start Types

public enum ServiceStartType : uint
{
    SERVICE_AUTO_START = 0x00000002,
    SERVICE_BOOT_START = 0x00000000,
    SERVICE_DEMAND_START = 0x00000003,
    SERVICE_DISABLED = 0x00000004,
    SERVICE_SYSTEM_START = 0x00000001
}

APIs Used

API	Purpose	DLL
`OpenSCManagerA`	Open Service Control Manager	advapi32.dll
`OpenServiceA`	Open handle to specific service	advapi32.dll
`CreateServiceA`	Create new service	advapi32.dll
`DeleteService`	Delete existing service	advapi32.dll
`StartServiceA`	Start service	advapi32.dll
`ControlService`	Send control codes to service	advapi32.dll
`EnumServicesStatusExW`	Enumerate services with detailed info	advapi32.dll
`QueryServiceConfigW`	Query service configuration	advapi32.dll
`QueryServiceConfig2W`	Query extended service configuration	advapi32.dll
`ChangeServiceConfigA`	Modify service configuration	advapi32.dll
`ChangeServiceConfig2W`	Modify extended service configuration	advapi32.dll
`CloseServiceHandle`	Close service handles	advapi32.dll

MITRE ATT&CK Mapping

T1106 - Native API
T1543.003 - Create or Modify System Process: Windows Service
T1569.002 - System Services: Service Execution

Security Considerations

Privilege Escalation: Service creation/modification may require admin rights
Persistence: Services can be used for maintaining persistence
Service Hijacking: Modification of existing services for malicious purposes
Remote Access: Can manage services on remote systems
Credential Exposure: Service account credentials may be visible in memory

Limitations

Some operations require administrative privileges
Remote service management depends on network connectivity and permissions
Service state changes may take time to complete
Some services cannot be stopped due to system dependencies
Service creation requires valid executable path
Password changes may require service restart

Error Conditions

Access Denied: Insufficient privileges for requested operation
Service Not Found: Specified service does not exist
Invalid Parameter: Missing required parameters for operation
SCM Connection Failed: Cannot connect to Service Control Manager
Service Start/Stop Timeout: Service fails to change state within timeout period
Handle Creation Failed: Cannot obtain handle to service or SCM
Configuration Error: Invalid service configuration parameters
Network Error: Remote service management fails due to network issues

Documentation Index

​Summary

​Arguments

​Query Mode

​Start Mode

​Stop Mode

​Create Mode

​Delete Mode

​Modify Mode

​Usage

​Detailed Summary

​Agent Execution Flow

​1. Parameter Processing and Validation

​2. Parameter Validation Logic

​3. Service Control Manager Connection

​4. Service Enumeration (Query Mode)

​5. Service Configuration Retrieval

​6. Service State Management

​7. Service Creation and Installation

​8. Service Modification

​9. Interactive UI Features

​API Function Resolution

​Required Windows APIs

​Data Structures

​ServiceResult Output Structure

​Memory Management

​Service Type and State Enumerations

​Service Types

​Service States

​Service Start Types

​APIs Used

​MITRE ATT&CK Mapping

​Security Considerations

​Limitations

​Error Conditions