Suspicious Lateral Movement via PsExec Service (via process_creation)

ATT&CK techniques

Execution → Lateral Movement

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
- T1569.002Service Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
- T1021.002SMB/Windows Admin Shares
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects the PsExec service executable running on a host, which indicates remote command execution through the Service Control Manager. Nokoyawa operators use PsExec together with WMI to move laterally and deploy Cobalt Strike and the ransomware across the network. PsExec service activity outside of sanctioned administration is a strong lateral-movement signal.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1021.002 — drag to rearrange

Malicious PsExec Service Installation via PSEXESVC

Possible PsExec Remote Service Installation with Randomly Named Service (via security)

Windows Named Pipe Creation: Default RemCom Pipe Name

Windows Named Pipe Created for CSExec Default Pipe Name

Windows Registry Service Install Indicators for Cobalt Strike Staging

Windows Service Control Manager Events: Suspicious Service Install Paths used by Cobalt Strike

Windows Security 4697 Alerts for Service Installations Using Cobalt Strike Beacon Payloads

Windows rundll32.exe execution with no parameters or arguments

Windows Service Installation (EID 4697) for SMB PsExec by Metasploit or Impacket

Suspicious Lateral Movement via PsExec Service (via process_creation)

Pivot detection · T1021.002 · 9 related

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

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