Sigma rules for Madi / Mahdi
500 rules · scoped to actor · back to Madi / Mahdi
Direct rules mention this entity in their title or description. Related rules cover the techniques this entity is known to use.
title: Suspicious WmiPrvSE Child Process
id: 8a582fe2-0882-4b89-a82a-da6b2dc32937
related:
- id: 692f0bec-83ba-4d04-af7e-e884a96059b6
type: similar
- id: d21374ff-f574-44a7-9998-4a8c8bf33d7d
type: similar
- id: 18cf6cf0-39b0-4c22-9593-e244bdc9a2d4
type: obsolete
status: test
description: Detects suspicious and uncommon child processes of WmiPrvSE
references:
- https://thedfirreport.com/2021/03/29/sodinokibi-aka-revil-ransomware/
- https://github.com/vadim-hunter/Detection-Ideas-Rules/blob/02bcbfc2bfb8b4da601bb30de0344ae453aa1afe/Threat%20Intelligence/The%20DFIR%20Report/20210329_Sodinokibi_(aka_REvil)_Ransomware.yaml
- https://blog.osarmor.com/319/onenote-attachment-delivers-asyncrat-malware/
- https://twitter.com/ForensicITGuy/status/1334734244120309760
author: Vadim Khrykov (ThreatIntel), Cyb3rEng, Florian Roth (Nextron Systems)
date: 2021-08-23
modified: 2023-11-10
tags:
- attack.execution
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1047
- attack.t1204.002
- attack.t1218.010
logsource:
product: windows
category: process_creation
detection:
selection_parent:
ParentImage|endswith: '\wbem\WmiPrvSE.exe'
selection_children_1:
# TODO: Add more LOLBINs or suspicious processes that make sens in your environment
Image|endswith:
- '\certutil.exe'
- '\cscript.exe'
- '\mshta.exe'
- '\msiexec.exe'
- '\regsvr32.exe'
- '\rundll32.exe'
- '\verclsid.exe'
- '\wscript.exe'
selection_children_2:
# This is in a separate selection due to the nature of FP generated with CMD
Image|endswith: '\cmd.exe'
CommandLine|contains:
- 'cscript'
- 'mshta'
- 'powershell'
- 'pwsh'
- 'regsvr32'
- 'rundll32'
- 'wscript'
filter_main_werfault:
Image|endswith: '\WerFault.exe'
filter_main_wmiprvse:
Image|endswith: '\WmiPrvSE.exe' # In some legitimate case WmiPrvSE was seen spawning itself
filter_main_msiexec:
Image|endswith: '\msiexec.exe'
CommandLine|contains: '/i '
condition: selection_parent and 1 of selection_children_* and not 1 of filter_main_*
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
title: Suspicious Microsoft Office Child Process
id: 438025f9-5856-4663-83f7-52f878a70a50
related:
- id: c27515df-97a9-4162-8a60-dc0eeb51b775 # Speicifc OneNote rule due to its recent usage in phishing attacks
type: derived
- id: e1693bc8-7168-4eab-8718-cdcaa68a1738
type: derived
- id: 23daeb52-e6eb-493c-8607-c4f0246cb7d8
type: obsolete
- id: 518643ba-7d9c-4fa5-9f37-baed36059f6a
type: obsolete
- id: 04f5363a-6bca-42ff-be70-0d28bf629ead
type: obsolete
status: test
description: Detects a suspicious process spawning from one of the Microsoft Office suite products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, Visio, etc.)
references:
- https://www.hybrid-analysis.com/sample/465aabe132ccb949e75b8ab9c5bda36d80cf2fd503d52b8bad54e295f28bbc21?environmentId=100
- https://mgreen27.github.io/posts/2018/04/02/DownloadCradle.html
- https://thedfirreport.com/2021/03/29/sodinokibi-aka-revil-ransomware/
- https://doublepulsar.com/follina-a-microsoft-office-code-execution-vulnerability-1a47fce5629e
- https://github.com/vadim-hunter/Detection-Ideas-Rules/blob/02bcbfc2bfb8b4da601bb30de0344ae453aa1afe/Threat%20Intelligence/The%20DFIR%20Report/20210329_Sodinokibi_(aka_REvil)_Ransomware.yaml
- https://github.com/splunk/security_content/blob/300af51b88ad5d5b27ce4f5f54e4d6e6a3a2c06d/detections/endpoint/office_spawning_control.yml
- https://twitter.com/andythevariable/status/1576953781581144064?s=20&t=QiJILvK4ZiBdR8RJe24u-A
- https://www.elastic.co/security-labs/exploring-the-ref2731-intrusion-set
- https://github.com/elastic/detection-rules/blob/c76a39796972ecde44cb1da6df47f1b6562c9770/rules/windows/defense_evasion_execution_msbuild_started_by_office_app.toml
- https://www.vmray.com/analyses/2d2fa29185ad/report/overview.html
- https://app.any.run/tasks/c903e9c8-0350-440c-8688-3881b556b8e0/
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems), Markus Neis, FPT.EagleEye Team, Vadim Khrykov, Cyb3rEng, Michael Haag, Christopher Peacock @securepeacock, @scythe_io
date: 2018-04-06
modified: 2023-04-24
tags:
- attack.execution
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1047
- attack.t1204.002
- attack.t1218.010
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection_parent:
ParentImage|endswith:
- '\EQNEDT32.EXE'
- '\EXCEL.EXE'
- '\MSACCESS.EXE'
- '\MSPUB.exe'
- '\ONENOTE.EXE'
- '\POWERPNT.exe'
- '\VISIO.exe'
- '\WINWORD.EXE'
- '\wordpad.exe'
- '\wordview.exe'
selection_child_processes:
- OriginalFileName:
- 'bitsadmin.exe'
- 'CertOC.exe'
- 'CertUtil.exe'
- 'Cmd.Exe'
- 'CMSTP.EXE'
- 'cscript.exe'
- 'curl.exe'
- 'HH.exe'
- 'IEExec.exe'
- 'InstallUtil.exe'
- 'javaw.exe'
- 'Microsoft.Workflow.Compiler.exe'
- 'msdt.exe'
- 'MSHTA.EXE'
- 'msiexec.exe'
- 'Msxsl.exe'
- 'odbcconf.exe'
- 'pcalua.exe'
- 'PowerShell.EXE'
- 'RegAsm.exe'
- 'RegSvcs.exe'
- 'REGSVR32.exe'
- 'RUNDLL32.exe'
- 'schtasks.exe'
- 'ScriptRunner.exe'
- 'wmic.exe'
- 'WorkFolders.exe'
- 'wscript.exe'
- Image|endswith:
- '\AppVLP.exe'
- '\bash.exe'
- '\bitsadmin.exe'
- '\certoc.exe'
- '\certutil.exe'
- '\cmd.exe'
- '\cmstp.exe'
- '\control.exe'
- '\cscript.exe'
- '\curl.exe'
- '\forfiles.exe'
- '\hh.exe'
- '\ieexec.exe'
- '\installutil.exe'
- '\javaw.exe'
- '\mftrace.exe'
- '\Microsoft.Workflow.Compiler.exe'
- '\msbuild.exe'
- '\msdt.exe'
- '\mshta.exe'
- '\msidb.exe'
- '\msiexec.exe'
- '\msxsl.exe'
- '\odbcconf.exe'
- '\pcalua.exe'
- '\powershell.exe'
- '\pwsh.exe'
- '\regasm.exe'
- '\regsvcs.exe'
- '\regsvr32.exe'
- '\rundll32.exe'
- '\schtasks.exe'
- '\scrcons.exe'
- '\scriptrunner.exe'
- '\sh.exe'
- '\svchost.exe'
- '\verclsid.exe'
- '\wmic.exe'
- '\workfolders.exe'
- '\wscript.exe'
selection_child_susp_paths: # Idea: Laiali Kazalbach, Mohamed Elsayed (#4142)
Image|contains:
- '\AppData\'
- '\Users\Public\'
- '\ProgramData\'
- '\Windows\Tasks\'
- '\Windows\Temp\'
- '\Windows\System32\Tasks\'
condition: selection_parent and 1 of selection_child_*
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
title: Suspicious Binary In User Directory Spawned From Office Application
id: aa3a6f94-890e-4e22-b634-ffdfd54792cc
status: test
description: Detects an executable in the users directory started from one of the Microsoft Office suite applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, Visio)
references:
- https://blog.morphisec.com/fin7-not-finished-morphisec-spots-new-campaign
- https://www.virustotal.com/gui/file/23160972c6ae07f740800fa28e421a81d7c0ca5d5cab95bc082b4a986fbac57
author: Jason Lynch
date: 2019-04-02
modified: 2023-02-04
tags:
- attack.execution
- attack.t1204.002
- attack.g0046
- car.2013-05-002
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection:
ParentImage|endswith:
- '\WINWORD.EXE'
- '\EXCEL.EXE'
- '\POWERPNT.exe'
- '\MSPUB.exe'
- '\VISIO.exe'
- '\MSACCESS.exe'
- '\EQNEDT32.exe'
# - '\OUTLOOK.EXE' too many FPs
Image|startswith: 'C:\users\'
Image|endswith: '.exe'
filter:
Image|endswith: '\Teams.exe'
condition: selection and not filter
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
title: Suspicious Outlook Child Process
id: 208748f7-881d-47ac-a29c-07ea84bf691d
related:
- id: 438025f9-5856-4663-83f7-52f878a70a50 # Office Child Processes
type: derived
- id: e212d415-0e93-435f-9e1a-f29005bb4723 # Outlook Remote Child Process
type: derived
status: test
description: Detects a suspicious process spawning from an Outlook process.
references:
- https://www.hybrid-analysis.com/sample/465aabe132ccb949e75b8ab9c5bda36d80cf2fd503d52b8bad54e295f28bbc21?environmentId=100
- https://mgreen27.github.io/posts/2018/04/02/DownloadCradle.html
author: Michael Haag, Florian Roth (Nextron Systems), Markus Neis, Elastic, FPT.EagleEye Team
date: 2022-02-28
modified: 2023-02-04
tags:
- attack.execution
- attack.t1204.002
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection:
ParentImage|endswith: '\OUTLOOK.EXE'
Image|endswith:
- '\AppVLP.exe'
- '\bash.exe'
- '\cmd.exe'
- '\cscript.exe'
- '\forfiles.exe'
- '\hh.exe'
- '\mftrace.exe'
- '\msbuild.exe' # https://github.com/elastic/detection-rules/blob/c76a39796972ecde44cb1da6df47f1b6562c9770/rules/windows/defense_evasion_execution_msbuild_started_by_office_app.toml
- '\msdt.exe' # CVE-2022-30190
- '\mshta.exe'
- '\msiexec.exe'
- '\powershell.exe'
- '\pwsh.exe'
- '\regsvr32.exe'
- '\schtasks.exe'
- '\scrcons.exe'
- '\scriptrunner.exe'
- '\sh.exe'
- '\svchost.exe' # https://www.vmray.com/analyses/2d2fa29185ad/report/overview.html
- '\wmic.exe' # https://app.any.run/tasks/c903e9c8-0350-440c-8688-3881b556b8e0/
- '\wscript.exe'
# Several FPs with rundll32.exe
# We started excluding specific use cases and ended up commenting out the rundll32.exe sub processes completely
# - '\rundll32.exe'
# filter_outlook_photoviewer: # https://twitter.com/Luke_Hamp/status/1495919717760237568
# ParentImage|endswith: '\OUTLOOK.EXE'
# Image|endswith: '\rundll32.exe'
# CommandLine|contains: '\PhotoViewer.dll'
# filter_outlook_printattachments: # https://twitter.com/KickaKamil/status/1496238278659485696
# ParentImage|endswith: '\OUTLOOK.EXE'
# Image|endswith: '\rundll32.exe'
# CommandLine|contains|all:
# - 'shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL'
# - '\SYSTEM32\SPOOL\DRIVERS\'
condition: selection # and not 1 of filter*
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
title: Suspicious LNK Command-Line Padding with Whitespace Characters
id: dd8756e7-a3a0-4768-b47e-8f545d1a751c
status: experimental
description: |
Detects exploitation of LNK file command-line length discrepancy, where attackers hide malicious commands beyond the 260-character UI limit while the actual command-line argument field supports 4096 characters using whitespace padding (e.g., 0x20, 0x09-0x0D).
Adversaries insert non-printable whitespace characters (e.g., Line Feed \x0A, Carriage Return \x0D) to pad the visible section of the LNK file, pushing malicious commands past the UI-visible boundary.
The hidden payload, executed at runtime but invisible in Windows Explorer properties, enables stealthy execution and evasion—commonly used for social engineering attacks.
This rule flags suspicious use of such padding observed in real-world attacks.
references:
- https://syedhasan010.medium.com/forensics-analysis-of-an-lnk-file-da68a98b8415
- https://thehackernews.com/2025/03/unpatched-windows-zero-day-flaw.html
- https://www.trendmicro.com/en_us/research/25/c/windows-shortcut-zero-day-exploit.html
author: Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel (Nextron Systems)
date: 2025-03-19
tags:
- attack.initial-access
- attack.execution
- attack.t1204.002
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection_img:
- ParentImage|endswith: '\explorer.exe'
- ParentCommandLine|contains: '.lnk'
selection_cmd:
- CommandLine|contains:
- ' ' # Padding of SPACE (0x20)
# - ' ' # Horizontal Tab (0x9)
- '\u0009'
- '\u000A' # Line Feed
- '\u0011'
- '\u0012'
- '\u0013'
- '\u000B' # Vertical Tab
- '\u000C' # \x0C
- '\u000D' # \x0D
- CommandLine|re: '\n\n\n\n\n\n' # In some cases \u000[ABCD] are represented as a newline in the eventlog
condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
title: Suspicious WMIC Execution Via Office Process
id: e1693bc8-7168-4eab-8718-cdcaa68a1738
related:
- id: 438025f9-5856-4663-83f7-52f878a70a50
type: derived
- id: 518643ba-7d9c-4fa5-9f37-baed36059f6a
type: obsolete
- id: 9d1c72f5-43f0-4da5-9320-648cf2099dd0
type: obsolete
- id: c0e1c3d5-4381-4f18-8145-2583f06a1fe5
type: obsolete
- id: 04f5363a-6bca-42ff-be70-0d28bf629ead
type: obsolete
status: test
description: Office application called wmic to proxye execution through a LOLBIN process. This is often used to break suspicious parent-child chain (Office app spawns LOLBin).
references:
- https://thedfirreport.com/2021/03/29/sodinokibi-aka-revil-ransomware/
- https://github.com/vadim-hunter/Detection-Ideas-Rules/blob/02bcbfc2bfb8b4da601bb30de0344ae453aa1afe/Threat%20Intelligence/The%20DFIR%20Report/20210329_Sodinokibi_(aka_REvil)_Ransomware.yaml
author: Vadim Khrykov, Cyb3rEng
date: 2021-08-23
modified: 2023-02-14
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1204.002
- attack.t1047
- attack.t1218.010
- attack.execution
logsource:
product: windows
category: process_creation
detection:
selection_parent:
ParentImage|endswith:
- '\WINWORD.EXE'
- '\EXCEL.EXE'
- '\POWERPNT.exe'
- '\MSPUB.exe'
- '\VISIO.exe'
- '\MSACCESS.EXE'
- '\EQNEDT32.EXE'
- '\ONENOTE.EXE'
- '\wordpad.exe'
- '\wordview.exe'
selection_wmic_img:
- Image|endswith: '\wbem\WMIC.exe'
- OriginalFileName: 'wmic.exe'
selection_wmic_cli:
CommandLine|contains|all:
- 'process'
- 'create'
- 'call'
CommandLine|contains:
# Add more suspicious LOLBINs as you see fit
- 'regsvr32'
- 'rundll32'
- 'msiexec'
- 'mshta'
- 'verclsid'
- 'wscript'
- 'cscript'
condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
title: MMC Executing Files with Reversed Extensions Using RTLO Abuse
id: 9cfe4b27-1e56-48b4-b7a8-d46851c91a44
status: experimental
description: Detects malicious behavior where the MMC utility (`mmc.exe`) executes files with reversed extensions caused by Right-to-Left Override (RLO) abuse, disguising them as document formats.
references:
- https://www.unicode.org/versions/Unicode5.2.0/ch02.pdf
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right-to-left_override
- https://tria.ge/241015-l98snsyeje/behavioral2
author: Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel (Nextron Systems)
date: 2025-02-05
tags:
- attack.execution
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1204.002
- attack.t1218.014
- attack.t1036.002
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection_image:
- Image|endswith: '\mmc.exe'
- OriginalFileName: 'MMC.exe'
selection_commandline:
CommandLine|contains: # While looking at these files the prefix of their name will look something like csm.pdf, but in reality it is msc file
- 'cod.msc' # Reversed `.doc`
- 'fdp.msc' # Reversed `.pdf`
- 'ftr.msc' # Reversed `.rtf`
- 'lmth.msc' # Reversed `.html`
- 'slx.msc' # Reversed `.xls`
- 'tdo.msc' # Reversed `.odt`
- 'xcod.msc' # Reversed `.docx`
- 'xslx.msc' # Reversed `.xlsx`
- 'xtpp.msc' # Reversed `.pptx`
condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
- Legitimate administrative actions using MMC to execute misnamed `.msc` files.
- Unconventional but non-malicious usage of RLO or reversed extensions.
level: high
title: HackTool - LittleCorporal Generated Maldoc Injection
id: 7bdde3bf-2a42-4c39-aa31-a92b3e17afac
status: test
description: Detects the process injection of a LittleCorporal generated Maldoc.
references:
- https://github.com/connormcgarr/LittleCorporal
author: Christian Burkard (Nextron Systems)
date: 2021-08-09
modified: 2023-11-28
tags:
- attack.execution
- attack.privilege-escalation
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1204.002
- attack.t1055.003
logsource:
category: process_access
product: windows
detection:
selection:
SourceImage|endswith: '\winword.exe'
CallTrace|contains|all:
- ':\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework64\v2.'
- 'UNKNOWN'
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
title: VBA DLL Loaded Via Office Application
id: e6ce8457-68b1-485b-9bdd-3c2b5d679aa9
status: test
description: Detects VB DLL's loaded by an office application. Which could indicate the presence of VBA Macros.
references:
- https://medium.com/threatpunter/detecting-adversary-tradecraft-with-image-load-event-logging-and-eql-8de93338c16
author: Antonlovesdnb
date: 2020-02-19
modified: 2023-02-10
tags:
- attack.execution
- attack.t1204.002
logsource:
category: image_load
product: windows
detection:
selection:
Image|endswith:
- '\excel.exe'
- '\mspub.exe'
- '\onenote.exe'
- '\onenoteim.exe' # Just in case
- '\outlook.exe'
- '\powerpnt.exe'
- '\winword.exe'
ImageLoaded|endswith:
- '\VBE7.DLL'
- '\VBEUI.DLL'
- '\VBE7INTL.DLL'
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Legitimate macro usage. Add the appropriate filter according to your environment
level: high
title: GAC DLL Loaded Via Office Applications
id: 90217a70-13fc-48e4-b3db-0d836c5824ac
status: test
description: Detects any GAC DLL being loaded by an Office Product
references:
- https://medium.com/threatpunter/detecting-adversary-tradecraft-with-image-load-event-logging-and-eql-8de93338c16
author: Antonlovesdnb
date: 2020-02-19
modified: 2023-02-10
tags:
- attack.execution
- attack.t1204.002
logsource:
category: image_load
product: windows
detection:
selection:
Image|endswith:
- '\excel.exe'
- '\mspub.exe'
- '\onenote.exe'
- '\onenoteim.exe' # Just in case
- '\outlook.exe'
- '\powerpnt.exe'
- '\winword.exe'
ImageLoaded|startswith: 'C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\assembly\GAC_MSIL'
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Legitimate macro usage. Add the appropriate filter according to your environment
level: high
title: OpenCanary - GIT Clone Request
id: 4fe17521-aef3-4e6a-9d6b-4a7c8de155a8
status: test
description: Detects instances where a GIT service on an OpenCanary node has had Git Clone request.
references:
- https://opencanary.readthedocs.io/en/latest/starting/configuration.html#services-configuration
- https://github.com/thinkst/opencanary/blob/a0896adfcaf0328cfd5829fe10d2878c7445138e/opencanary/logger.py#L52
author: Security Onion Solutions
date: 2024-03-08
tags:
- attack.collection
- attack.t1213
logsource:
category: application
product: opencanary
detection:
selection:
logtype: 16001
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Unlikely
level: high
title: Potential RemoteFXvGPUDisablement.EXE Abuse
id: f65e22f9-819e-4f96-9c7b-498364ae7a25
related:
- id: a6fc3c46-23b8-4996-9ea2-573f4c4d88c5 # ProcCreation
type: similar
- id: 38a7625e-b2cb-485d-b83d-aff137d859f4 # PS Module
type: similar
- id: cacef8fc-9d3d-41f7-956d-455c6e881bc5 # PS ScriptBlock
type: similar
status: test
description: Detects PowerShell module creation where the module Contents are set to "function Get-VMRemoteFXPhysicalVideoAdapter". This could be a sign of potential abuse of the "RemoteFXvGPUDisablement.exe" binary which is known to be vulnerable to module load-order hijacking.
references:
- https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1218/T1218.md
- https://github.com/redcanaryco/AtomicTestHarnesses/blob/7e1e4da116801e3d6fcc6bedb207064577e40572/TestHarnesses/T1218_SignedBinaryProxyExecution/InvokeRemoteFXvGPUDisablementCommand.ps1
author: frack113, Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2021-07-13
modified: 2023-05-09
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1218
logsource:
product: windows
service: powershell-classic
definition: fields have to be extract from event
detection:
selection:
Data|contains: 'ModuleContents=function Get-VMRemoteFXPhysicalVideoAdapter {'
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
title: Potential RemoteFXvGPUDisablement.EXE Abuse - PowerShell Module
id: 38a7625e-b2cb-485d-b83d-aff137d859f4
related:
- id: a6fc3c46-23b8-4996-9ea2-573f4c4d88c5 # ProcCreation
type: similar
- id: f65e22f9-819e-4f96-9c7b-498364ae7a25 # PS Classic
type: similar
- id: cacef8fc-9d3d-41f7-956d-455c6e881bc5 # PS ScriptBlock
type: similar
status: test
description: Detects PowerShell module creation where the module Contents are set to "function Get-VMRemoteFXPhysicalVideoAdapter". This could be a sign of potential abuse of the "RemoteFXvGPUDisablement.exe" binary which is known to be vulnerable to module load-order hijacking.
references:
- https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1218/T1218.md
- https://github.com/redcanaryco/AtomicTestHarnesses/blob/7e1e4da116801e3d6fcc6bedb207064577e40572/TestHarnesses/T1218_SignedBinaryProxyExecution/InvokeRemoteFXvGPUDisablementCommand.ps1
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), frack113
date: 2021-07-13
modified: 2023-05-09
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1218
logsource:
product: windows
category: ps_module
definition: 0ad03ef1-f21b-4a79-8ce8-e6900c54b65b
detection:
selection:
Payload|contains: 'ModuleContents=function Get-VMRemoteFXPhysicalVideoAdapter {'
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
title: Potential RemoteFXvGPUDisablement.EXE Abuse - PowerShell ScriptBlock
id: cacef8fc-9d3d-41f7-956d-455c6e881bc5
related:
- id: a6fc3c46-23b8-4996-9ea2-573f4c4d88c5 # ProcCreation
type: similar
- id: f65e22f9-819e-4f96-9c7b-498364ae7a25 # PS Classic
type: similar
- id: 38a7625e-b2cb-485d-b83d-aff137d859f4 # PS Module
type: similar
status: test
description: Detects PowerShell module creation where the module Contents are set to "function Get-VMRemoteFXPhysicalVideoAdapter". This could be a sign of potential abuse of the "RemoteFXvGPUDisablement.exe" binary which is known to be vulnerable to module load-order hijacking.
references:
- https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1218/T1218.md
- https://github.com/redcanaryco/AtomicTestHarnesses/blob/7e1e4da116801e3d6fcc6bedb207064577e40572/TestHarnesses/T1218_SignedBinaryProxyExecution/InvokeRemoteFXvGPUDisablementCommand.ps1
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2023-05-09
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1218
logsource:
product: windows
category: ps_script
definition: bade5735-5ab0-4aa7-a642-a11be0e40872
detection:
selection:
ScriptBlockText|startswith: 'function Get-VMRemoteFXPhysicalVideoAdapter {'
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
title: Network Connection Initiated By AddinUtil.EXE
id: 5205613d-2a63-4412-a895-3a2458b587b3
status: test
description: |
Detects a network connection initiated by the Add-In deployment cache updating utility "AddInutil.exe".
This could indicate a potential command and control communication as this tool doesn't usually initiate network activity.
references:
- https://www.blue-prints.blog/content/blog/posts/lolbin/addinutil-lolbas.html
author: Michael McKinley (@McKinleyMike), Tony Latteri (@TheLatteri)
date: 2023-09-18
modified: 2024-07-16
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1218
logsource:
category: network_connection
product: windows
detection:
selection:
Initiated: 'true'
Image|endswith: '\addinutil.exe'
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
title: Legitimate Application Dropped Script
id: 7d604714-e071-49ff-8726-edeb95a70679
status: test
description: Detects programs on a Windows system that should not write scripts to disk
references:
- https://github.com/Neo23x0/sysmon-config/blob/3f808d9c022c507aae21a9346afba4a59dd533b9/sysmonconfig-export-block.xml#L1326
author: frack113, Florian Roth (Nextron Systems)
date: 2022-08-21
modified: 2023-06-22
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1218
logsource:
product: windows
category: file_event
detection:
selection:
Image|endswith:
# Microsoft Office Programs Dropping Executables / Rest of the apps are covered in: c7a74c80-ba5a-486e-9974-ab9e682bc5e4
- \eqnedt32.exe
- \wordpad.exe
- \wordview.exe
# LOLBINs that can be used to download executables
- \certutil.exe
- \certoc.exe
- \CertReq.exe
# - \bitsadmin.exe (depends on the environment; comment in if you're sure that bitsadmin doesn't do that in your env)
- \Desktopimgdownldr.exe
- \esentutl.exe
# - \expand.exe
- '\mshta.exe'
# Executables that should never drop an executable to disk (but may after a previous process injection or if it's malware that uses a legitimate name)
- '\AcroRd32.exe'
- '\RdrCEF.exe'
- '\hh.exe'
- '\finger.exe'
TargetFilename|endswith:
- '.ps1'
- '.bat'
- '.vbs'
- '.scf'
- '.wsf'
- '.wsh'
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
title: Legitimate Application Dropped Executable
id: f0540f7e-2db3-4432-b9e0-3965486744bc
status: test
description: Detects programs on a Windows system that should not write executables to disk
references:
- https://github.com/Neo23x0/sysmon-config/blob/3f808d9c022c507aae21a9346afba4a59dd533b9/sysmonconfig-export-block.xml#L1326
author: frack113, Florian Roth (Nextron Systems)
date: 2022-08-21
modified: 2023-06-22
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1218
logsource:
product: windows
category: file_event
detection:
selection:
Image|endswith:
# Microsoft Office Programs Dropping Executables / Rest of the apps are covered in: c7a74c80-ba5a-486e-9974-ab9e682bc5e4
- '\eqnedt32.exe'
- '\wordpad.exe'
- '\wordview.exe'
# LOLBINs that can be used to download executables
- '\certutil.exe'
- '\certoc.exe'
- '\CertReq.exe'
# - \bitsadmin.exe (depends on the environment; comment in if you're sure that bitsadmin doesn't do that in your env)
- '\Desktopimgdownldr.exe'
- '\esentutl.exe'
# - \expand.exe
- '\mshta.exe'
# Executables that should never drop an executable to disk (but may after a previous process injection or if it's malware that uses a legitimate name)
- '\AcroRd32.exe'
- '\RdrCEF.exe'
- '\hh.exe'
- '\finger.exe'
TargetFilename|endswith:
- '.exe'
- '.dll'
- '.ocx'
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
title: Suspicious DotNET CLR Usage Log Artifact
id: e0b06658-7d1d-4cd3-bf15-03467507ff7c
related:
- id: 4508a70e-97ef-4300-b62b-ff27992990ea
type: derived
- id: e4b63079-6198-405c-abd7-3fe8b0ce3263
type: obsolete
status: test
description: Detects the creation of Usage Log files by the CLR (clr.dll). These files are named after the executing process once the assembly is finished executing for the first time in the (user) session context.
references:
- https://bohops.com/2021/03/16/investigating-net-clr-usage-log-tampering-techniques-for-edr-evasion/
- https://github.com/olafhartong/sysmon-modular/blob/fa1ae53132403d262be2bbd7f17ceea7e15e8c78/11_file_create/include_dotnet.xml
- https://web.archive.org/web/20221026202428/https://gist.github.com/code-scrap/d7f152ffcdb3e0b02f7f394f5187f008
- https://web.archive.org/web/20230329154538/https://blog.menasec.net/2019/07/interesting-difr-traces-of-net-clr.html
author: frack113, omkar72, oscd.community, Wojciech Lesicki
date: 2022-11-18
modified: 2023-02-23
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1218
logsource:
category: file_event
product: windows
definition: 'Requirements: UsageLogs folder must be monitored by the sysmon configuration'
detection:
selection:
TargetFilename|endswith:
- '\UsageLogs\cmstp.exe.log'
- '\UsageLogs\cscript.exe.log'
- '\UsageLogs\mshta.exe.log'
- '\UsageLogs\msxsl.exe.log'
- '\UsageLogs\regsvr32.exe.log'
- '\UsageLogs\rundll32.exe.log'
- '\UsageLogs\svchost.exe.log'
- '\UsageLogs\wscript.exe.log'
- '\UsageLogs\wmic.exe.log'
filter_main_rundll32:
# This filter requires the event to be enriched by additional information such as ParentImage and CommandLine activity
ParentImage|endswith: '\MsiExec.exe'
ParentCommandLine|contains: ' -Embedding'
Image|endswith: '\rundll32.exe'
CommandLine|contains|all:
- 'Temp'
- 'zzzzInvokeManagedCustomActionOutOfProc'
condition: selection and not 1 of filter_main_*
falsepositives:
- Rundll32.exe with zzzzInvokeManagedCustomActionOutOfProc in command line and msiexec.exe as parent process - https://twitter.com/SBousseaden/status/1388064061087260675
level: high
title: Legitimate Application Writing Files In Uncommon Location
id: 1cf465a1-2609-4c15-9b66-c32dbe4bfd67
related:
- id: 2ddef153-167b-4e89-86b6-757a9e65dcac # bitsadmin dedicated rule
type: similar
status: experimental
description: |
Detects legitimate applications writing any type of file to uncommon or suspicious locations that are not typical for application data storage or execution.
Adversaries may leverage legitimate applications (Living off the Land Binaries - LOLBins) to drop or download malicious files to uncommon locations on the system to evade detection by security solutions.
references:
- https://lolbas-project.github.io/#/download
author: Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel (Nextron Systems)
date: 2025-12-10
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1218
- attack.command-and-control
- attack.t1105
logsource:
product: windows
category: file_event
detection:
selection_img:
Image|endswith:
# Microsoft Office Programs Dropping Executables / Rest of the apps are covered in: c7a74c80-ba5a-486e-9974-ab9e682bc5e4
- '\eqnedt32.exe'
- '\wordpad.exe'
- '\wordview.exe'
# LOLBINs that can be used to download executables
- '\cmdl32.exe'
- '\certutil.exe'
- '\certoc.exe'
- '\CertReq.exe'
- '\bitsadmin.exe'
- '\Desktopimgdownldr.exe'
- '\esentutl.exe'
- '\expand.exe'
- '\extrac32.exe'
- '\replace.exe'
- '\mshta.exe'
- '\ftp.exe'
- '\Ldifde.exe'
- '\RdrCEF.exe'
- '\hh.exe'
- '\finger.exe'
- '\findstr.exe'
selection_locations:
TargetFilename|contains:
- ':\Perflogs'
- ':\ProgramData\'
- ':\Temp\'
- ':\Users\Public\'
- ':\Windows\'
- '\$Recycle.Bin\'
- '\AppData\Local\'
- '\AppData\Roaming\'
- '\Contacts\'
- '\Desktop\'
- '\Favorites\'
- '\Favourites\'
- '\inetpub\wwwroot\'
- '\Music\'
- '\Pictures\'
- '\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\'
- '\Users\Default\'
- '\Videos\'
condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
regression_tests_path: regression_data/rules/windows/file/file_event/file_event_win_susp_legitimate_app_dropping_in_uncommon_location/info.yml
title: Legitimate Application Dropped Archive
id: 654fcc6d-840d-4844-9b07-2c3300e54a26
status: test
description: Detects programs on a Windows system that should not write an archive to disk
references:
- https://github.com/Neo23x0/sysmon-config/blob/3f808d9c022c507aae21a9346afba4a59dd533b9/sysmonconfig-export-block.xml#L1326
author: frack113, Florian Roth
date: 2022-08-21
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1218
logsource:
product: windows
category: file_event
detection:
selection:
Image|endswith:
# Microsoft Office Programs Dropping Executables
- \winword.exe
- \excel.exe
- \powerpnt.exe
- \msaccess.exe
- \mspub.exe
- \eqnedt32.exe
- \visio.exe
- \wordpad.exe
- \wordview.exe
# LOLBINs that can be used to download executables
- \certutil.exe
- \certoc.exe
- \CertReq.exe
# - \bitsadmin.exe (depends on the environment; comment in if you're sure that bitsadmin doesn't do that in your env)
- \Desktopimgdownldr.exe
- \esentutl.exe
# - \expand.exe
- \finger.exe
# Executables that should never drop an executable to disk (but may after a previous process injection or if it's malware that uses a legitimate name)
- \notepad.exe
- \AcroRd32.exe
- \RdrCEF.exe
- \mshta.exe
- \hh.exe
TargetFilename|endswith:
- '.zip'
- '.rar'
- '.7z'
- '.diagcab'
- '.appx'
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
title: Suspicious Speech Runtime Binary Child Process
id: 78f10490-f2f4-4d19-a75b-4e0683bf3b8d
status: experimental
description: |
Detects suspicious Speech Runtime Binary Execution by monitoring its child processes.
Child processes spawned by SpeechRuntime.exe could indicate an attempt for lateral movement via COM & DCOM hijacking.
references:
- https://github.com/rtecCyberSec/SpeechRuntimeMove
author: andrewdanis
date: 2025-10-23
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
tags:
- attack.lateral-movement
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1021.003
- attack.t1218
detection:
selection:
ParentImage|endswith: '\SpeechRuntime.exe'
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Unlikely.
level: high
title: Execution via WorkFolders.exe
id: 0bbc6369-43e3-453d-9944-cae58821c173
status: test
description: Detects using WorkFolders.exe to execute an arbitrary control.exe
references:
- https://twitter.com/elliotkillick/status/1449812843772227588
author: Maxime Thiebaut (@0xThiebaut)
date: 2021-10-21
modified: 2022-12-25
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1218
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection:
Image|endswith: '\control.exe'
ParentImage|endswith: '\WorkFolders.exe'
filter:
Image: 'C:\Windows\System32\control.exe'
condition: selection and not filter
falsepositives:
- Legitimate usage of the uncommon Windows Work Folders feature.
level: high
title: Execute Pcwrun.EXE To Leverage Follina
id: 6004abd0-afa4-4557-ba90-49d172e0a299
status: test
description: Detects indirect command execution via Program Compatibility Assistant "pcwrun.exe" leveraging the follina (CVE-2022-30190) vulnerability
references:
- https://twitter.com/nas_bench/status/1535663791362519040
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2022-06-13
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1218
- attack.execution
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection:
Image|endswith: '\pcwrun.exe'
CommandLine|contains: '../'
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Unlikely
level: high
title: Time Travel Debugging Utility Usage
id: 0b4ae027-2a2d-4b93-8c7e-962caaba5b2a
related:
- id: e76c8240-d68f-4773-8880-5c6f63595aaf
type: derived
status: test
description: Detects usage of Time Travel Debugging Utility. Adversaries can execute malicious processes and dump processes, such as lsass.exe, via tttracer.exe.
references:
- https://lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/Binaries/Tttracer/
- https://twitter.com/mattifestation/status/1196390321783025666
- https://twitter.com/oulusoyum/status/1191329746069655553
author: 'Ensar Şamil, @sblmsrsn, @oscd_initiative'
date: 2020-10-06
modified: 2022-10-09
tags:
- attack.credential-access
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1218
- attack.t1003.001
logsource:
product: windows
category: process_creation
detection:
selection:
ParentImage|endswith: '\tttracer.exe'
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Legitimate usage by software developers/testers
level: high
title: Suspicious Provlaunch.EXE Child Process
id: f9999590-1f94-4a34-a91e-951e47bedefd
related:
- id: 7f5d1c9a-3e83-48df-95a7-2b98aae6c13c # CLI Generic
type: similar
- id: 2a4b3e61-9d22-4e4a-b60f-6e8f0cde6f25 # CLI Registry
type: similar
- id: 7021255e-5db3-4946-a8b9-0ba7a4644a69 # Registry
type: similar
status: test
description: Detects suspicious child processes of "provlaunch.exe" which might indicate potential abuse to proxy execution.
references:
- https://lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/Binaries/Provlaunch/
- https://twitter.com/0gtweet/status/1674399582162153472
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2023-08-08
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1218
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection_parent:
ParentImage|endswith: '\provlaunch.exe'
selection_child:
- Image|endswith:
- '\calc.exe'
- '\cmd.exe'
- '\cscript.exe'
- '\mshta.exe'
- '\notepad.exe'
- '\powershell.exe'
- '\pwsh.exe'
- '\regsvr32.exe'
- '\rundll32.exe'
- '\wscript.exe'
- Image|contains:
- ':\PerfLogs\'
- ':\Temp\'
- ':\Users\Public\'
- '\AppData\Temp\'
- '\Windows\System32\Tasks\'
- '\Windows\Tasks\'
- '\Windows\Temp\'
condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
title: Renamed MegaSync Execution
id: 643bdcac-8b82-49f4-9fd9-25a90b929f3b
status: test
description: Detects the execution of a renamed MegaSync.exe as seen used by ransomware families like Nefilim, Sodinokibi, Pysa, and Conti.
references:
- https://redcanary.com/blog/rclone-mega-extortion/
author: Sittikorn S
date: 2021-06-22
modified: 2023-02-03
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1218
logsource:
product: windows
category: process_creation
detection:
selection:
OriginalFileName: 'megasync.exe'
filter:
Image|endswith: '\megasync.exe'
condition: selection and not filter
falsepositives:
- Software that illegally integrates MegaSync in a renamed form
- Administrators that have renamed MegaSync
level: high
title: Uncommon Child Process Of Setres.EXE
id: 835e75bf-4bfd-47a4-b8a6-b766cac8bcb7
status: test
description: |
Detects uncommon child process of Setres.EXE.
Setres.EXE is a Windows server only process and tool that can be used to set the screen resolution.
It can potentially be abused in order to launch any arbitrary file with a name containing the word "choice" from the current execution path.
references:
- https://lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/Binaries/Setres/
- https://twitter.com/0gtweet/status/1583356502340870144
- https://strontic.github.io/xcyclopedia/library/setres.exe-0E30E4C09637D7A128A37B59A3BC4D09.html
- https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2012-r2-and-2012/cc731033(v=ws.11)
author: '@gott_cyber, Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)'
date: 2022-12-11
modified: 2024-06-26
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1218
- attack.t1202
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection:
ParentImage|endswith: '\setres.exe'
Image|contains: '\choice'
filter_main_legit_location:
Image|endswith:
- 'C:\Windows\System32\choice.exe'
- 'C:\Windows\SysWOW64\choice.exe'
condition: selection and not 1 of filter_main_*
falsepositives:
- Unlikely
level: high
title: Suspicious AddinUtil.EXE CommandLine Execution
id: 631b22a4-70f4-4e2f-9ea8-42f84d9df6d8
status: test
description: |
Detects execution of the Add-In deployment cache updating utility (AddInutil.exe) with suspicious Addinroot or Pipelineroot paths. An adversary may execute AddinUtil.exe with uncommon Addinroot/Pipelineroot paths that point to the adversaries Addins.Store payload.
references:
- https://www.blue-prints.blog/content/blog/posts/lolbin/addinutil-lolbas.html
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), Michael McKinley (@McKinleyMike), Tony Latteri (@TheLatteri)
date: 2023-09-18
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1218
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection_img:
- Image|endswith: '\addinutil.exe'
- OriginalFileName: 'AddInUtil.exe'
selection_susp_1_flags:
CommandLine|contains:
- '-AddInRoot:'
- '-PipelineRoot:'
selection_susp_1_paths:
CommandLine|contains:
- '\AppData\Local\Temp\'
- '\Desktop\'
- '\Downloads\'
- '\Users\Public\'
- '\Windows\Temp\'
selection_susp_2:
CommandLine|contains:
- '-AddInRoot:.'
- '-AddInRoot:"."'
- '-PipelineRoot:.'
- '-PipelineRoot:"."'
CurrentDirectory|contains:
- '\AppData\Local\Temp\'
- '\Desktop\'
- '\Downloads\'
- '\Users\Public\'
- '\Windows\Temp\'
condition: selection_img and (all of selection_susp_1_* or selection_susp_2)
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
title: Execution via stordiag.exe
id: 961e0abb-1b1e-4c84-a453-aafe56ad0d34
status: test
description: Detects the use of stordiag.exe to execute schtasks.exe systeminfo.exe and fltmc.exe
references:
- https://strontic.github.io/xcyclopedia/library/stordiag.exe-1F08FC87C373673944F6A7E8B18CD845.html
- https://twitter.com/eral4m/status/1451112385041911809
author: Austin Songer (@austinsonger)
date: 2021-10-21
modified: 2022-12-25
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1218
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection:
ParentImage|endswith: '\stordiag.exe'
Image|endswith:
- '\schtasks.exe'
- '\systeminfo.exe'
- '\fltmc.exe'
filter:
ParentImage|startswith: # as first is "Copy c:\windows\system32\stordiag.exe to a folder"
- 'c:\windows\system32\'
- 'c:\windows\syswow64\'
condition: selection and not filter
falsepositives:
- Legitimate usage of stordiag.exe.
level: high
title: Suspicious Child Process Of BgInfo.EXE
id: 811f459f-9231-45d4-959a-0266c6311987
related:
- id: aaf46cdc-934e-4284-b329-34aa701e3771
type: similar
status: test
description: Detects suspicious child processes of "BgInfo.exe" which could be a sign of potential abuse of the binary to proxy execution via external VBScript
references:
- https://lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/OtherMSBinaries/Bginfo/
- https://oddvar.moe/2017/05/18/bypassing-application-whitelisting-with-bginfo/
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2023-08-16
tags:
- attack.execution
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1059.005
- attack.t1218
- attack.t1202
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection_parent:
ParentImage|endswith:
- '\bginfo.exe'
- '\bginfo64.exe'
selection_child:
- Image|endswith:
- '\calc.exe'
- '\cmd.exe'
- '\cscript.exe'
- '\mshta.exe'
- '\notepad.exe'
- '\powershell.exe'
- '\pwsh.exe'
- '\wscript.exe'
- Image|contains:
- '\AppData\Local\'
- '\AppData\Roaming\'
- ':\Users\Public\'
- ':\Temp\'
- ':\Windows\Temp\'
- ':\PerfLogs\'
condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
title: Potentially Suspicious Child Processes Spawned by ConHost
id: dfa03a09-8b92-4d83-8e74-f72839b1c407
related:
- id: 7dc2dedd-7603-461a-bc13-15803d132355
type: similar
status: experimental
description: Detects suspicious child processes related to Windows Shell utilities spawned by `conhost.exe`, which could indicate malicious activity using trusted system components.
references:
- https://tria.ge/241015-l98snsyeje/behavioral2
author: Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel (Nextron Systems)
date: 2025-02-05
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1202
- attack.t1218
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection_parent:
ParentImage|endswith: '\conhost.exe'
selection_child:
- Image|endswith:
- '\cmd.exe' # Windows Command Prompt
- '\cscript.exe' # Windows Script Host (used for scripting exploits)
- '\mshta.exe' # MSHTA (HTML Application Host, often abused)
- '\powershell_ise.exe' # PowerShell ISE
- '\powershell.exe' # Windows PowerShell
- '\pwsh.exe' # PowerShell Core
- '\regsvr32.exe' # Windows Registry Server (commonly used for exploits)
- '\wscript.exe' # Windows Script Host (for executing scripts)
- OriginalFileName:
- 'cmd.exe'
- 'cscript.exe'
- 'mshta.exe'
- 'powershell_ise.exe'
- 'powershell.exe'
- 'pwsh.dll'
- 'regsvr32.exe'
- 'wscript.exe'
condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
- Legitimate administrative tasks using `conhost.exe` to spawn child processes such as `cmd.exe`, `powershell.exe`, or `regsvr32.exe`.
level: high
title: Suspicious AgentExecutor PowerShell Execution
id: c0b40568-b1e9-4b03-8d6c-b096da6da9ab
related:
- id: 7efd2c8d-8b18-45b7-947d-adfe9ed04f61
type: similar
status: test
description: Detects execution of the AgentExecutor.exe binary. Which can be abused as a LOLBIN to execute powershell scripts with the ExecutionPolicy "Bypass" or any binary named "powershell.exe" located in the path provided by 6th positional argument
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), memory-shards
references:
- https://twitter.com/lefterispan/status/1286259016436514816
- https://lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/OtherMSBinaries/Agentexecutor/
- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/intune/apps/intune-management-extension
- https://twitter.com/jseerden/status/1247985304667066373/photo/1
date: 2022-12-24
modified: 2024-08-07
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1218
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection_img:
- Image|endswith: '\AgentExecutor.exe'
- OriginalFileName: 'AgentExecutor.exe'
selection_cli:
# Example:
# AgentExecutor.exe -powershell [scriptPath] [outputFilePath] [errorFilePath] [timeoutFilePath] [timeoutSeconds] [powershellPath] [enforceSignatureCheck] [runAs32BitOn64]
# Note:
# - If [timeoutSeconds] is NULL then it defaults to 60000
# - If [enforceSignatureCheck] is:
# - "NULL" or "1" then a PowerShell instance is spawned with the args: "-NoProfile -executionPolicy allsigned -file "
# - Else a PowerShell instance is spawned with the args: "-NoProfile -executionPolicy bypass -file "
# - [powershellPath] is always concatendated to "powershell.exe"
CommandLine|contains:
- ' -powershell' # Also covers the "-powershellDetection" flag
- ' -remediationScript'
filter_main_pwsh:
CommandLine|contains:
- 'C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\'
- 'C:\Windows\SysWOW64\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\'
filter_main_intune:
ParentImage|endswith: '\Microsoft.Management.Services.IntuneWindowsAgent.exe'
condition: all of selection_* and not 1 of filter_main_*
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
title: Winrs Local Command Execution
id: bcfece3d-56fe-4545-9931-3b8e92927db1
status: experimental
description: |
Detects the execution of Winrs.exe where it is used to execute commands locally.
Commands executed this way are launched under Winrshost.exe and can represent proxy execution used for defense evasion or lateral movement.
references:
- https://cardinalops.com/blog/living-off-winrm-abusing-complexity-in-remote-management/
- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/winrs
author: Liran Ravich, Nasreddine Bencherchali
date: 2025-10-22
tags:
- attack.lateral-movement
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1021.006
- attack.t1218
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection_img:
# Note: Example of command to simulate (winrm needs to be enabled): "c:\Windows\System32\winrs.exe" calc.exe
- Image|endswith: '\winrs.exe'
- OriginalFileName: 'winrs.exe'
selection_local_ip:
CommandLine|contains|windash:
- '/r:localhost'
- '/r:127.0.0.1'
- '/r:[::1]'
- '/remote:localhost'
- '/remote:127.0.0.1'
- '/remote:[::1]'
filter_main_remote:
CommandLine|contains|windash:
- "/r:"
- "/remote:"
condition: all of selection_* or (selection_img and not 1 of filter_main_*)
falsepositives:
- Unlikely
level: high
title: Potential Suspicious Mofcomp Execution
id: 1dd05363-104e-4b4a-b963-196a534b03a1
status: test
description: |
Detects execution of the "mofcomp" utility as a child of a suspicious shell or script running utility or by having a suspicious path in the commandline.
The "mofcomp" utility parses a file containing MOF statements and adds the classes and class instances defined in the file to the WMI repository.
Attackers abuse this utility to install malicious MOF scripts
references:
- https://thedfirreport.com/2022/07/11/select-xmrig-from-sqlserver/
- https://github.com/The-DFIR-Report/Sigma-Rules/blob/75260568a7ffe61b2458ca05f6f25914efb44337/win_mofcomp_execution.yml
- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/wmisdk/mofcomp
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2022-07-12
modified: 2023-04-11
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1218
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection_img:
- Image|endswith: '\mofcomp.exe'
- OriginalFileName: 'mofcomp.exe'
selection_case:
- ParentImage|endswith:
- '\cmd.exe'
- '\powershell.exe'
- '\pwsh.exe'
- '\wsl.exe'
- '\wscript.exe'
- '\cscript.exe'
- CommandLine|contains:
- '\AppData\Local\Temp'
- '\Users\Public\'
- '\WINDOWS\Temp\'
- '%temp%'
- '%tmp%'
- '%appdata%'
filter_main_wmiprvse:
ParentImage: 'C:\Windows\System32\wbem\WmiPrvSE.exe'
CommandLine|contains: 'C:\Windows\TEMP\'
CommandLine|endswith: '.mof'
filter_optional_null_parent:
# Sometimes the parent information isn't available from the Microsoft-Windows-Security-Auditing provider.
CommandLine|contains: 'C:\Windows\TEMP\'
CommandLine|endswith: '.mof'
condition: all of selection_* and not 1 of filter_main_* and not 1 of filter_optional_*
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
title: File Download Via Windows Defender MpCmpRun.EXE
id: 46123129-1024-423e-9fae-43af4a0fa9a5
status: test
description: Detects the use of Windows Defender MpCmdRun.EXE to download files
references:
- https://web.archive.org/web/20200903194959/https://twitter.com/djmtshepana/status/1301608169496612866
- https://lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/Binaries/MpCmdRun/
author: Matthew Matchen
date: 2020-09-04
modified: 2023-11-09
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1218
- attack.command-and-control
- attack.t1105
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection_img:
- OriginalFileName: 'MpCmdRun.exe'
- Image|endswith: '\MpCmdRun.exe'
- CommandLine|contains: 'MpCmdRun.exe'
- Description: 'Microsoft Malware Protection Command Line Utility'
selection_cli:
CommandLine|contains|all:
- 'DownloadFile'
- 'url'
condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
title: Sensitive File Dump Via Print.EXE
id: 2fcda7e2-8c57-4904-86ac-37fc3157e09d
status: test
description: |
Detects the abuse of the Print.exe utility for credential harvesting which involves using Print.Exe to copy sensitive files such as ntds.dit, SAM, SECURITY, or SYSTEM from the Windows directory in order to extract credentials, locally or remotely.
references:
- https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2026/02/06/active-exploitation-solarwinds-web-help-desk/
- https://www.huntress.com/blog/credential-theft-expanding-your-reach-pt-2
- https://lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/Binaries/Print/
author: Ayush Anand (Securityinbits)
date: 2026-04-28
tags:
- attack.credential-access
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1003.003
- attack.t1003.002
- attack.t1218
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection_img:
- Image|endswith: '\print.exe'
- OriginalFileName: 'Print.EXE'
selection_cli:
CommandLine|contains|windash: '/D'
CommandLine|contains:
- '\config\SAM'
- '\config\SECURITY'
- '\config\SYSTEM'
- '\windows\ntds\ntds.dit'
condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
- Unlikely
level: high
regression_tests_path: regression_data/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_print_dump_sensitive_files/info.yml
title: Potential Provisioning Registry Key Abuse For Binary Proxy Execution
id: 2a4b3e61-9d22-4e4a-b60f-6e8f0cde6f25
related:
- id: 7f5d1c9a-3e83-48df-95a7-2b98aae6c13c # CLI Generic
type: similar
- id: f9999590-1f94-4a34-a91e-951e47bedefd # CLI Abuse
type: similar
- id: 7021255e-5db3-4946-a8b9-0ba7a4644a69 # Registry
type: similar
status: test
description: Detects potential abuse of the provisioning registry key for indirect command execution through "Provlaunch.exe".
references:
- https://lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/Binaries/Provlaunch/
- https://twitter.com/0gtweet/status/1674399582162153472
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel
date: 2023-08-08
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1218
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection:
CommandLine|contains: 'SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Provisioning\Commands\'
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
title: RemoteFXvGPUDisablement Abuse Via AtomicTestHarnesses
id: a6fc3c46-23b8-4996-9ea2-573f4c4d88c5
related:
- id: f65e22f9-819e-4f96-9c7b-498364ae7a25 # PS Classic
type: similar
- id: 38a7625e-b2cb-485d-b83d-aff137d859f4 # PS Module
type: similar
- id: cacef8fc-9d3d-41f7-956d-455c6e881bc5 # PS ScriptBlock
type: similar
status: test
description: Detects calls to the AtomicTestHarnesses "Invoke-ATHRemoteFXvGPUDisablementCommand" which is designed to abuse the "RemoteFXvGPUDisablement.exe" binary to run custom PowerShell code via module load-order hijacking.
references:
- https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1218/T1218.md
- https://github.com/redcanaryco/AtomicTestHarnesses/blob/7e1e4da116801e3d6fcc6bedb207064577e40572/TestHarnesses/T1218_SignedBinaryProxyExecution/InvokeRemoteFXvGPUDisablementCommand.ps1
author: frack113
date: 2021-07-13
modified: 2023-05-09
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1218
logsource:
product: windows
category: process_creation
detection:
selection:
CommandLine|contains:
- 'Invoke-ATHRemoteFXvGPUDisablementCommand'
- 'Invoke-ATHRemoteFXvGPUDisableme'
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
title: Self Extracting Package Creation Via Iexpress.EXE From Potentially Suspicious Location
id: b2b048b0-7857-4380-b0fb-d3f0ab820b71
status: test
description: |
Detects the use of iexpress.exe to create binaries via Self Extraction Directive (SED) files located in potentially suspicious locations.
This behavior has been observed in-the-wild by different threat actors.
references:
- https://strontic.github.io/xcyclopedia/library/iexpress.exe-D594B2A33EFAFD0EABF09E3FDC05FCEA.html
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IExpress
- https://decoded.avast.io/janvojtesek/raspberry-robins-roshtyak-a-little-lesson-in-trickery/
- https://www.virustotal.com/gui/file/602f4ae507fa8de57ada079adff25a6c2a899bd25cd092d0af7e62cdb619c93c/behavior
author: Joseliyo Sanchez, @Joseliyo_Jstnk, Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2024-02-05
modified: 2024-06-04
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1218
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
# VT Query: behavior_processes:"iexpress.exe" and behavior_processes:"/n /q /m" and behavior_processes:"*.sed*" and p:5+
selection_img:
- Image|endswith: '\iexpress.exe'
- OriginalFileName: 'IEXPRESS.exe'
selection_cli:
CommandLine|contains|windash: ' /n '
selection_paths:
CommandLine|contains:
# Note: Add more uncommon paths that fit your organizational needs.
- ':\ProgramData\'
- ':\Temp\'
- ':\Windows\System32\Tasks\'
- ':\Windows\Tasks\'
- ':\Windows\Temp\'
- '\AppData\Local\Temp\'
condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
- Administrators building packages using iexpress.exe
level: high
title: Arbitrary File Download Via IMEWDBLD.EXE
id: 863218bd-c7d0-4c52-80cd-0a96c09f54af
related:
- id: 8d7e392e-9b28-49e1-831d-5949c6281228
type: derived
status: test
description: Detects usage of "IMEWDBLD.exe" to download arbitrary files
references:
- https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1105/T1105.md#atomic-test-10---windows---powershell-download
- https://lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/Binaries/IMEWDBLD/
author: Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel
date: 2023-11-09
tags:
- attack.execution
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1218
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection_img:
- Image|endswith: '\IMEWDBLD.exe'
- OriginalFileName: 'imewdbld.exe'
selection_cli:
CommandLine|contains:
- 'http://'
- 'https://'
condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
- Unknown
# Note: Please reduce this to medium if you find legitimate use case of this utility with a URL
level: high
title: MSDT Execution Via Answer File
id: 9c8c7000-3065-44a8-a555-79bcba5d9955
status: test
description: |
Detects execution of "msdt.exe" using an answer file which is simulating the legitimate way of calling msdt via "pcwrun.exe" (For example from the compatibility tab).
references:
- https://lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/Binaries/Msdt/
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2022-06-13
modified: 2025-10-29
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1218
- attack.execution
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection:
Image|endswith: '\msdt.exe'
CommandLine|contains: '\WINDOWS\diagnostics\index\PCWDiagnostic.xml'
CommandLine|contains|windash: ' -af '
filter_main_pcwrun:
ParentImage|endswith: '\pcwrun.exe'
condition: selection and not 1 of filter_main_*
falsepositives:
- Possible undocumented parents of "msdt" other than "pcwrun".
level: high
title: Suspicious BitLocker Access Agent Update Utility Execution
id: 9f38c1db-e2ae-40bf-81d0-5b68f73fb512
related:
- id: 6e8fe0a8-ba0b-4a93-8f9e-82657e7a5984 # BaaUpdate.exe Suspicious DLL Load
type: similar
status: experimental
description: |
Detects the execution of the BitLocker Access Agent Update Utility (baaupdate.exe) which is not a common parent process for other processes.
Suspicious child processes spawned by baaupdate.exe could indicate an attempt at lateral movement via BitLocker DCOM & COM Hijacking.
references:
- https://github.com/rtecCyberSec/BitlockMove
author: andrewdanis, Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel (Nextron Systems)
date: 2025-10-18
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1218
- attack.lateral-movement
- attack.t1021.003
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection:
ParentImage|endswith: '\baaupdate.exe'
Image|endswith:
- '\bitsadmin.exe'
- '\cmd.exe'
- '\cscript.exe'
- '\mshta.exe'
- '\powershell_ise.exe'
- '\powershell.exe'
- '\regsvr32.exe'
- '\rundll32.exe'
- '\schtasks.exe'
- '\wmic.exe'
- '\wscript.exe'
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
title: Suspicious DLL Loaded via CertOC.EXE
id: 84232095-ecca-4015-b0d7-7726507ee793
related:
- id: 242301bc-f92f-4476-8718-78004a6efd9f
type: similar
status: test
description: Detects when a user installs certificates by using CertOC.exe to load the target DLL file.
references:
- https://twitter.com/sblmsrsn/status/1445758411803480072?s=20
- https://github.com/elastic/protections-artifacts/commit/746086721fd385d9f5c6647cada1788db4aea95f#diff-fe98e74189873d6df72a15df2eaa0315c59ba9cdaca93ecd68afc4ea09194ef2
- https://lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/Binaries/Certoc/
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2023-02-15
modified: 2024-03-05
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1218
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection_img:
- Image|endswith: '\certoc.exe'
- OriginalFileName: 'CertOC.exe'
selection_cli:
CommandLine|contains|windash: ' -LoadDLL '
selection_paths:
CommandLine|contains:
- '\Appdata\Local\Temp\'
- '\Desktop\'
- '\Downloads\'
- '\Users\Public\'
- 'C:\Windows\Tasks\'
- 'C:\Windows\Temp\'
condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
title: Devtoolslauncher.exe Executes Specified Binary
id: cc268ac1-42d9-40fd-9ed3-8c4e1a5b87e6
status: test
description: The Devtoolslauncher.exe executes other binary
references:
- https://lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/OtherMSBinaries/Devtoolslauncher/
- https://twitter.com/_felamos/status/1179811992841797632
author: Beyu Denis, oscd.community (rule), @_felamos (idea)
date: 2019-10-12
modified: 2021-11-27
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1218
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection:
Image|endswith: '\devtoolslauncher.exe'
CommandLine|contains: 'LaunchForDeploy'
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Legitimate use of devtoolslauncher.exe by legitimate user
level: high
title: MpiExec Lolbin
id: 729ce0ea-5d8f-4769-9762-e35de441586d
status: test
description: Detects a certain command line flag combination used by mpiexec.exe LOLBIN from HPC pack that can be used to execute any other binary
references:
- https://twitter.com/mrd0x/status/1465058133303246867
- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/high-performance-computing/mpiexec?view=hpc19-ps
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems)
date: 2022-01-11
modified: 2024-11-23
tags:
- attack.execution
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1218
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection_binary:
- Image|endswith: '\mpiexec.exe'
- Hashes|contains: 'IMPHASH=d8b52ef6aaa3a81501bdfff9dbb96217'
selection_flags:
CommandLine|contains:
- ' /n 1 '
- ' -n 1 '
condition: all of selection*
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
title: Potential NTLM Coercion Via Certutil.EXE
id: 6c6d9280-e6d0-4b9d-80ac-254701b64916
status: test
description: Detects possible NTLM coercion via certutil using the 'syncwithWU' flag
references:
- https://github.com/LOLBAS-Project/LOLBAS/issues/243
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2022-09-01
modified: 2023-02-14
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1218
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection_img:
- Image|endswith: '\certutil.exe'
- OriginalFileName: 'CertUtil.exe'
selection_cli:
CommandLine|contains|all:
- ' -syncwithWU '
- ' \\\\'
condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
regression_tests_path: regression_data/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_certutil_ntlm_coercion/info.yml
title: OpenWith.exe Executes Specified Binary
id: cec8e918-30f7-4e2d-9bfa-a59cc97ae60f
status: test
description: The OpenWith.exe executes other binary
references:
- https://github.com/LOLBAS-Project/LOLBAS/blob/4db780e0f0b2e2bb8cb1fa13e09196da9b9f1834/yml/LOLUtilz/OSBinaries/Openwith.yml
- https://twitter.com/harr0ey/status/991670870384021504
author: Beyu Denis, oscd.community (rule), @harr0ey (idea)
date: 2019-10-12
modified: 2021-11-27
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1218
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection:
Image|endswith: '\OpenWith.exe'
CommandLine|contains: '/c'
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
title: Proxy Execution Via Wuauclt.EXE
id: af77cf95-c469-471c-b6a0-946c685c4798
related:
- id: ba1bb0cb-73da-42de-ad3a-de10c643a5d0
type: obsolete
- id: d7825193-b70a-48a4-b992-8b5b3015cc11
type: obsolete
status: test
description: Detects the use of the Windows Update Client binary (wuauclt.exe) for proxy execution.
references:
- https://dtm.uk/wuauclt/
- https://blog.malwarebytes.com/threat-intelligence/2022/01/north-koreas-lazarus-apt-leverages-windows-update-client-github-in-latest-campaign/
author: Roberto Rodriguez (Cyb3rWard0g), OTR (Open Threat Research), Florian Roth (Nextron Systems), Sreeman, FPT.EagleEye Team
date: 2020-10-12
modified: 2023-11-11
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1218
- attack.execution
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection_img:
- Image|endswith: '\wuauclt.exe'
- OriginalFileName: 'wuauclt.exe'
selection_cli:
CommandLine|contains|all:
- 'UpdateDeploymentProvider'
- 'RunHandlerComServer'
filter_main_generic:
# Note: Please enhance this if you find the full path
CommandLine|contains: ' /UpdateDeploymentProvider UpdateDeploymentProvider.dll '
filter_main_wuaueng:
# Note: Please enhance this if you find the full path
CommandLine|contains: ' wuaueng.dll '
filter_main_uus:
CommandLine|contains:
- ':\Windows\UUS\Packages\Preview\amd64\updatedeploy.dll /ClassId'
- ':\Windows\UUS\amd64\UpdateDeploy.dll /ClassId'
filter_main_winsxs:
CommandLine|contains|all:
- ':\Windows\WinSxS\'
- '\UpdateDeploy.dll /ClassId '
condition: all of selection_* and not 1 of filter_main_*
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
title: Curl Download And Execute Combination
id: 21dd6d38-2b18-4453-9404-a0fe4a0cc288
status: test
description: Adversaries can use curl to download payloads remotely and execute them. Curl is included by default in Windows 10 build 17063 and later.
references:
- https://medium.com/@reegun/curl-exe-is-the-new-rundll32-exe-lolbin-3f79c5f35983 # Dead Link
author: Sreeman, Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2020-01-13
modified: 2024-03-05
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1218
- attack.command-and-control
- attack.t1105
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection:
CommandLine|contains|windash: ' -c '
CommandLine|contains|all:
- 'curl '
- 'http'
- '-o'
- '&'
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
title: Time Travel Debugging Utility Usage - Image
id: e76c8240-d68f-4773-8880-5c6f63595aaf
status: test
description: Detects usage of Time Travel Debugging Utility. Adversaries can execute malicious processes and dump processes, such as lsass.exe, via tttracer.exe.
references:
- https://lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/Binaries/Tttracer/
- https://twitter.com/mattifestation/status/1196390321783025666
- https://twitter.com/oulusoyum/status/1191329746069655553
author: 'Ensar Şamil, @sblmsrsn, @oscd_initiative'
date: 2020-10-06
modified: 2022-12-02
tags:
- attack.credential-access
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1218
- attack.t1003.001
logsource:
product: windows
category: image_load
detection:
selection:
ImageLoaded|endswith:
- '\ttdrecord.dll'
- '\ttdwriter.dll'
- '\ttdloader.dll'
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Legitimate usage by software developers/testers
level: high