Possible PsExec Remote Service Installation with Randomly Named Service (via security)

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
- T1021.002SMB/Windows Admin Shares
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects the installation of a new Windows service whose name is a random eight-character alphabetic string, matching the pattern left behind by PsExec-style remote execution tooling. Adversaries install such transient services during lateral movement to run code under the SYSTEM context, so a random service name paired with a service install event is a strong indicator of hands-on-keyboard activity.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1021.002 — drag to rearrange

Suspicious RemCom Service Named Pipe for Lateral Movement (via pipe_created)

Malicious PsExec Service Binary Execution from Windows Directory via services.exe (via process_creation)

Malicious Remote Command Execution via smbexec Output Redirection Pattern

Malicious Lateral Movement via PsExec File-List Target

Malicious PsExec Service Installation via PSEXESVC

Suspicious Lateral Movement via PsExec Service (via process_creation)

Windows Named Pipe Creation: Default RemCom Pipe Name

Windows Named Pipe Created for CSExec Default Pipe Name

Windows Registry Service Install Indicators for Cobalt Strike Staging

Possible PsExec Remote Service Installation with Randomly Named Service (via security)

Pivot detection · T1021.002 · 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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