Suspicious Execution of Python Inline Command (via process_creation)

title: Suspicious Execution of Python Inline Command (via process_creation)
id: 1bdcef31-4f09-58e2-9478-f9e5d5594757
status: stable
description: This rule detects execution of python using the "-c" flag. This is could be used as a way to launch a reverse shell or execute live python code.
references:
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1059/
    - https://docs.python.org/3/using/cmdline.html#cmdoption-c
    - https://www.revshells.com/
    - https://pentestmonkey.net/cheat-sheet/shells/reverse-shell-cheat-sheet
author: Huntrule Team
date: 2026-04-14
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.t1059
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_img:
        - OriginalFileName: 'python.exe'
        - Image|endswith:
              - 'python.exe'
              - 'python3.exe'
              - 'python2.exe'
    selection_cli:
        CommandLine|contains: ' -c'
    filter_main_python_1:
        ParentImage|startswith:
            - 'C:\Program Files\Python'
            - 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Python'
        ParentImage|endswith: '\python.exe'
        ParentCommandLine|contains: '-E -s -m ensurepip -U --default-pip'
    filter_main_python_trace:
        ParentImage|startswith:
            - 'C:\Program Files\Python'
            - 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Python'
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - '-W ignore::DeprecationWarning'
            - "['install', '--no-cache-dir', '--no-index', '--find-links',"
            - "'--upgrade', 'pip'"
    filter_optional_vscode:
        - ParentImage|endswith: '\AppData\Local\Programs\Microsoft VS Code\Code.exe'
        - ParentImage:
              - 'C:\Program Files\Microsoft VS Code\Code.exe'
              - 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft VS Code\Code.exe'
    filter_optional_pip:
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - '<pip-setuptools-caller>'
            - 'exec(compile('
    condition: all of selection_* and not 1 of filter_main_* and not 1 of filter_optional_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium