Malicious Msiexec Execution of Staged Update Package via Process Creation

ATT&CK techniques

Defense Evasion

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
- T1218.007Msiexec
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects msiexec.exe executing the update_ms.msi package staged in ProgramData, the installer proxy-execution step that loads the msaRAT lib.dll RUN export as reported by Cisco Talos in the Chaos ransomware campaign. Running a fetched MSI from ProgramData under msiexec launches the covert browser C2 implant. Detecting this execution catches proxy execution of the malicious installer after ingress.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1218.007 — drag to rearrange

Msiexec Spawning Batch Script Child Process

Possible PurpleFox MSHTA to Msiexec Remote MSI Chain

Malicious Remote MSI Execution with Image Extension via msiexec (via process_creation)

Suspicious Raspberry Robin Msiexec Spawning a Proxy Binary (via process_creation)

Malicious Msiexec Installation of a Remote MSI Package (via process_creation)

Suspicious msiexec Remote Package Installation over HTTP

Malicious MSI Installation from Remote WebDAV Share via process_creation

Suspicious Msiexec Remote Package Installation from URL via Process Creation

Suspicious Silent MSI Installation from AppData Spawned by PowerShell (via process_creation)

Malicious Msiexec Execution of Staged Update Package via Process Creation

Pivot detection · T1218.007 · 9 related

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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