Malicious CMSTP UAC Bypass via INF File From Temp (via process_creation)
- Product
- windows
- Category
- process_creation
- Author
- HuntRule
- Published
- 2026-09-14
- Updated
- 2026-09-14
ATT&CK techniques
Defense EvasionRecon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact
What it detects
This rule detects cmstp.exe executing an INF configuration file from a Temp directory using the auto-install flag. This LNK-driven chain abuses CMSTP as a signed binary proxy to bypass UAC and run stealer payloads.
Reporting behind it
Detection content is published as a reviewed draft. Tune thresholds and exclusions against your own telemetry before enabling this rule for alerting.
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Also included
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