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.

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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.