Suspicious New Kernel Driver Through SC.EXE (via process_creation)
This rule detects creation of a new service (kernel driver) with the type "kernel"
SigmamediumWindowsv1
sigma
suspicious-new-kernel-driver-through-sc-exe-via-process-creation
title: Suspicious New Kernel Driver Through SC.EXE (via process_creation)
id: e34ef514-bcdb-5cc0-90ba-6709ed907e1d
status: stable
description: This rule detects creation of a new service (kernel driver) with the type "kernel"
references:
- https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1543/003/
- https://www.aon.com/cyber-solutions/aon_cyber_labs/yours-truly-signed-av-driver-weaponizing-an-antivirus-driver/
author: Huntrule Team
date: 2026-04-02
tags:
- attack.persistence
- attack.privilege-escalation
- attack.t1543.003
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection:
Image|endswith: '\sc.exe'
CommandLine|contains:
- 'create'
- 'config'
CommandLine|contains|all:
- 'binPath'
- 'type'
- 'kernel'
filter_optional_avira_driver:
- CommandLine|contains|all:
- 'create netprotection_network_filter'
- 'type= kernel start= '
- 'binPath= System32\drivers\netprotection_network_filter'
- 'DisplayName= netprotection_network_filter'
- 'group= PNP_TDI tag= yes'
- CommandLine|contains|all:
- 'create avelam binpath=C:\Windows\system32\drivers\avelam.sys'
- 'type=kernel start=boot error=critical group=Early-Launch'
condition: selection and not 1 of filter_optional_*
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: medium
Known false positives
- Unknown
Detection content is published as a reviewed draft. Tune thresholds and exclusions against your own telemetry before enabling this rule for alerting.