Suspicious MsiExec Embedding Parent (via process_creation)

title: Suspicious MsiExec Embedding Parent (via process_creation)
id: 8d4813c8-c648-5fdc-9283-4a1e27cd5b27
status: stable
description: This rule detects threat actors may misuse msiexec.exe to proxy the execution of hostile payloads
references:
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1218/007/
    - https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1218.007/T1218.007.md
author: Huntrule Team
date: 2026-06-29
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1218.007
logsource:
    product: windows
    category: process_creation
detection:
    selection:
        Image|endswith:
            - '\powershell.exe'
            - '\pwsh.exe'
            - '\cmd.exe'
        ParentCommandLine|contains|all:
            - 'MsiExec.exe'
            - '-Embedding '
    filter_splunk_ufw:
        Image|endswith: ':\Windows\System32\cmd.exe'
        CommandLine|contains: 'C:\Program Files\SplunkUniversalForwarder\bin\'
    filter_vs:
        - CommandLine|contains: '\DismFoDInstall.cmd'
        - ParentCommandLine|contains|all:
              - '\MsiExec.exe -Embedding '
              - 'Global\MSI0000'
    condition: selection and not 1 of filter*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium