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

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

Windows Service Control Manager Events: Suspicious Service Install Paths used by Cobalt Strike

Windows Security 4697 Alerts for Service Installations Using Cobalt Strike Beacon Payloads

Windows rundll32.exe execution with no parameters or arguments

Windows Service Installation (EID 4697) for SMB PsExec by Metasploit or Impacket

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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