Malicious Lateral Movement via PsExec File-List Target
- Product
- windows
- Category
- process_creation
- Author
- HuntRule
- Published
- 2026-09-29
- Updated
- 2026-09-29
ATT&CK techniques
Execution → Lateral MovementRecon
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 PsExec executing a batch payload against a list of hosts supplied via an @file argument with the -d, -c, and -h flags, a mass remote-execution pattern used to deploy ransomware fleet-wide. This was observed during KawaLocker ransomware deployment. Copying and running a batch across many hosts at once accelerates encryption throughout the network.
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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