Suspicious Execution of Tap Installer (via process_creation)

title: Suspicious Execution of Tap Installer (via process_creation)
id: 6a908226-2fa2-56d3-9004-d99cd548402c
status: stable
description: This rule detects Well-known TAP software installation. Possible preparation for data exfiltration using tunneling methods
references:
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1048/
    - https://community.openvpn.net/openvpn/wiki/ManagingWindowsTAPDrivers
author: Huntrule Team
date: 2026-06-22
tags:
    - attack.exfiltration
    - attack.t1048
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        Image|endswith: '\tapinstall.exe'
    filter_optional_avast:
        Image|contains:
            - ':\Program Files\Avast Software\SecureLine VPN\'
            - ':\Program Files (x86)\Avast Software\SecureLine VPN\'
    filter_optional_openvpn:
        Image|contains: ':\Program Files\OpenVPN Connect\drivers\tap\'
    filter_optional_protonvpn:
        Image|contains: ':\Program Files (x86)\Proton Technologies\ProtonVPNTap\installer\'
    filter_hr:
        Image|contains: :\Program Files\OpenVPN\bin\
    condition: (selection and not 1 of filter_optional_*) and not filter_hr
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium