Suspicious Always Install Elevated Windows Installer (via process_creation)

title: Suspicious Always Install Elevated Windows Installer (via process_creation)
id: 3da02161-d68b-5d67-a9b8-cf92f9a452bf
status: stable
description: This rule detects Windows Installer service (msiexec.exe) trying to install MSI packages with SYSTEM privilege
references:
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1548/002/
    - https://image.slidesharecdn.com/kheirkhabarovoffzonefinal-181117201458/95/hunting-for-privilege-escalation-in-windows-environment-48-638.jpg
author: Huntrule Team
date: 2026-05-06
tags:
    - attack.privilege-escalation
    - attack.t1548.002
logsource:
    product: windows
    category: process_creation
detection:
    selection_user:
        User|contains:
            - 'AUTHORI'
            - 'AUTORI'
    selection_image_1:
        Image|contains|all:
            - '\Windows\Installer\'
            - 'msi'
        Image|endswith: 'tmp'
    selection_image_2:
        Image|endswith: '\msiexec.exe'
        IntegrityLevel:
            - 'System'
            - 'S-1-16-16384'
    filter_installer:
        ParentImage: 'C:\Windows\System32\services.exe'
    filter_repair:
        - CommandLine|endswith: '\system32\msiexec.exe /V'
        - ParentCommandLine|endswith: '\system32\msiexec.exe /V'
    filter_sophos:
        ParentImage|startswith: 'C:\ProgramData\Sophos\'
    filter_avira:
        ParentImage|startswith: 'C:\ProgramData\Avira\'
    filter_avast:
        ParentImage|startswith:
            - 'C:\Program Files\Avast Software\'
            - 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Avast Software\'
    filter_google_update:
        ParentImage|startswith:
            - 'C:\Program Files\Google\Update\'
            - 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Update\'
    filter_hr:
        ParentImage|startswith: C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\
    condition: (1 of selection_image_* and selection_user and not 1 of filter_*) and not filter_hr
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium