huntrule

Possible Query Use To Exfil Data (via process_creation)

This rule detects use of "query.exe" a system binary to exfil information such as "sessions" and "processes" for later use

SigmamediumWindowsv1
sigma
title: Possible Query Use To Exfil Data (via process_creation)
id: 4fde7b4f-a28e-5b00-9242-1dcf68de87be
status: stable
description: This rule detects use of "query.exe" a system binary to exfil information such as "sessions" and "processes" for later use
references:
    - https://twitter.com/MichalKoczwara/status/1553634816016498688
author: Huntrule Team
date: 2026-03-30
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.discovery
    - attack.t1057
    - attack.t1033
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        Image|endswith: ':\Windows\System32\query.exe'
        CommandLine|contains:
            - 'session >'
            - 'process >'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium

Known false positives

  • Unknown

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