Suspicious NetSupport client32 Execution from User Writable Path

PremiumReviewedSigma · Medium · v1
Product
windows
Category
process_creation
Author
HuntRule
Published
2026-09-21
Updated
2026-09-21

ATT&CK techniques

C2
  1. Recon

  2. Resource Dev

  3. Initial Access

  4. Execution

  5. Persistence

  6. Priv Esc

  7. Defense Evasion

  8. Cred Access

  9. Discovery

  10. Lateral Movement

  11. Collection

  12. Exfiltration

  13. Impact

What it detects

This rule detects the NetSupport Manager client32.exe running from a user writable directory such as AppData, Temp or ProgramData, the deployment pattern used by SmartApeSG to run NetSupport RAT for remote control. Legitimate NetSupport installs live under Program Files, so execution from a staging folder indicates malicious remote access tooling.

Related detections9 linkedT1219 — drag to rearrange
Malicious NetSupport Client Executed from Masqueraded VMware ProgramData Path
Malicious ScreenConnect Client Installation via Msiexec (via process_creation)
Suspicious Remote MSI Installation of RMM Tooling via Msiexec (via process_creation)
Possible Atera or Tactical RMM Agent Execution via Process Creation
Possible Remote Monitoring and Management Tool Execution via Process Creation
Suspicious NetSupport client32 Execution from AppData
Suspicious n8n Campaign RMM Installer Masquerading as OneDrive Document
Suspicious Velociraptor Agent Deployment via msiexec From Cloud Storage
Malicious Scheduled Task Masquerading as GoogleUpdate Launching SSH Reverse Shell
Suspicious NetSupport client32 Execution from User Writable Path
Pivot detection · T1219 · 9 related

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