Suspicious Local XML Compilation via MSBuild
- Product
- windows
- Category
- process_creation
- Author
- HuntRule
- Published
- 2026-09-28
- Updated
- 2026-09-28
ATT&CK techniques
Execution → Defense EvasionRecon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact
What it detects
This rule detects MSBuild compiling a project from a non-standard file extension such as xml, used in this pharmaceutical vendor intrusion to run inline C# tasks. MSBuild processing a disguised project file is a trusted-developer-utility abuse technique for executing arbitrary code while evading application controls.
Reporting behind it
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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Also included
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