PowerShell Creates Windows Service via New-Service and -BinaryPathName

ATT&CK techniques

Persistence → Priv Esc

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
- T1543.003Windows Service
Priv Esc
- T1543.003Windows Service
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule identifies Windows process executions where the command line contains both "New-Service" and "-BinaryPathName" in PowerShell. Creating services from PowerShell can establish persistence or run attacker-controlled payloads with elevated or scheduled execution. The detection relies on process creation telemetry and inspects the full command line for these specific parameters.

Reporting behind it

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PowerShell Creates Windows Service via New-Service and -BinaryPathName

Pivot detection · T1543.003 · 9 related

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

powershell-creates-windows-service-via-new-service-and-binarypathname-c02e96b7

title: PowerShell Creates Windows Service via New-Service and -BinaryPathName
id: 4d46753e-cb45-4f6a-9b67-f94589f472c3
related:
  - id: 85ff530b-261d-48c6-a441-facaa2e81e48
    type: similar
  - id: c02e96b7-c63a-4c47-bd83-4a9f74afcfb2
    type: derived
status: test
description: This rule identifies Windows process executions where the command line contains both "New-Service" and "-BinaryPathName" in PowerShell. Creating services from PowerShell can establish persistence or run attacker-controlled payloads with elevated or scheduled execution. The detection relies on process creation telemetry and inspects the full command line for these specific parameters.
references:
  - https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1543.003/T1543.003.md
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_powershell_create_service.yml
author: Timur Zinniatullin, Daniil Yugoslavskiy, oscd.community, Huntrule Team
date: 2023-02-20
tags:
  - attack.persistence
  - attack.privilege-escalation
  - attack.t1543.003
logsource:
  category: process_creation
  product: windows
detection:
  selection:
    CommandLine|contains|all:
      - New-Service
      - -BinaryPathName
  condition: selection
falsepositives:
  - Legitimate administrator or user creates a service for legitimate reasons.
  - Software installation
level: low
license: DRL-1.1

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