MSBuild Executing Non-Project File or Remote Payload

PremiumReviewedSigma · High · v1
Product
windows
Category
process_creation
Author
HuntRule
Published
2026-09-08
Updated
2026-09-08

ATT&CK techniques

Execution → Defense Evasion
  1. Recon

  2. Resource Dev

  3. Initial Access

  4. Persistence

  5. Priv Esc

  6. Defense Evasion

  7. Cred Access

  8. Discovery

  9. Lateral Movement

  10. Collection

  11. C2

  12. Exfiltration

  13. Impact

What it detects

This rule detects MSBuild running a file that is not a normal project such as a log file or a payload staged in a public folder. Unfading Sea Haze abuses MSBuild to compile and execute .NET loaders in memory from these staged files.

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MSBuild Executing Non-Project File or Remote Payload
Pivot detection · T1059 · 9 related

Detection content is published as a reviewed draft. Tune thresholds and exclusions against your own telemetry before enabling this rule for alerting.