Suspicious Service Started/Stopped Through Wmic.EXE (via process_creation)

title: Suspicious Service Started/Stopped Through Wmic.EXE (via process_creation)
id: 78528d48-53e1-5b6e-9a9e-6575ab398174
status: stable
description: This rule detects use of wmic to start or stop a service
references:
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1047/
    - https://sushant747.gitbooks.io/total-oscp-guide/content/privilege_escalation_windows.html
author: Huntrule Team
date: 2026-06-25
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.t1047
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_img:
        - OriginalFileName: 'wmic.exe'
        - Image|endswith: '\WMIC.exe'
    selection_cli:
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - ' service '
            - ' call '
        CommandLine|contains:
            - 'stopservice'
            - 'startservice'
    condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium
regression_tests_path: regression_data/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_wmic_service_manipulation/info.yml