Malicious Windows Script Components File Execution by TAEF (via process_creation)

title: Malicious Windows Script Components File Execution by TAEF (via process_creation)
id: 12637f21-8a59-5890-8d8f-d7ec72131431
status: stable
description: This rule detects windows Test Authoring and Execution Framework (TAEF) framework enables you to run automation by running tests files written on different languages (C, C#, Microsoft COM Scripting interfaces Adversaries may execute hostile code (such as WSC file with VBScript, dll and so on) directly by running te.exe
references:
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1218/
    - https://lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/OtherMSBinaries/Te/
    - https://twitter.com/pabraeken/status/993298228840992768
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/drivers/taef/
author: 'Huntrule Team'
date: 2026-01-20
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1218
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        - Image|endswith: '\te.exe'
        - ParentImage|endswith: '\te.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: '\te.exe'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: low