Malicious PsExec SYSTEM Interactive Shell Execution (via process_creation)

ATT&CK techniques

Execution → Lateral Movement

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
- T1569.002Service Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
- T1021.001Remote Desktop Protocol
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects PsExec spawning an interactive SYSTEM-level command shell via the -i -s cmd.exe pattern, used by attackers for privileged lateral movement during ransomware precursor activity. Running cmd.exe as SYSTEM interactively is characteristic of hands-on intrusion rather than legitimate administration. This activity accompanied Cobalt Strike staging on the network.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1021.001 — drag to rearrange

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Malicious PsExec SYSTEM Interactive Shell Execution (via process_creation)

Pivot detection · T1021.001 · 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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