Possible Process Hollowing Behavior (via process_tampering)

title: Possible Process Hollowing Behavior (via process_tampering)
id: ae574f69-2811-510b-b205-4c38073818af
status: stable
description: This rule detects when a memory process image does not match the disk image, indicative of process hollowing.
references:
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1055/012/
    - https://twitter.com/SecurePeacock/status/1486054048390332423?s=20
    - https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-sysmon-now-detects-malware-process-tampering-attempts/
author: Huntrule Team
date: 2026-05-17
tags:
    - attack.privilege-escalation
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1055.012
logsource:
    product: windows
    category: process_tampering
detection:
    selection:
        Type: 'Image is replaced'
    filter_main_generic:
        Image|contains:
            - ':\Program Files (x86)'
            - ':\Program Files\'
            - ':\Windows\System32\wbem\WMIADAP.exe'
            - ':\Windows\SysWOW64\wbem\WMIADAP.exe'
    filter_optional_opera:
        Image|contains: '\AppData\Local\Programs\Opera\'
        Image|endswith: '\opera.exe'
    filter_optional_edge:
        Image|endswith: '\WindowsApps\MicrosoftEdge.exe'
    condition: selection and not 1 of filter_main_* and not 1 of filter_optional_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium