Suspicious Setup16.EXE Execution With Custom .Lst File (via process_creation)

title: Suspicious Setup16.EXE Execution With Custom .Lst File (via process_creation)
id: 4d48d08c-eaba-5865-b89f-28dc88990bf2
status: stable
description: This rule detects the execution of "Setup16.EXE" and old installation utility with a custom ".lst" file. These ".lst" file can contain references to external program that "Setup16.EXE" will execute. Attackers and threat actors might abuse this as a living of the land utility.
references:
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1574/005/
    - https://www.hexacorn.com/blog/2024/10/12/the-sweet16-the-oldbin-lolbin-called-setup16-exe/
author: Huntrule Team
date: 2026-05-12
tags:
    - attack.privilege-escalation
    - attack.persistence
    - attack.execution
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1574.005
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        ParentImage: 'C:\Windows\SysWOW64\setup16.exe'
        ParentCommandLine|contains: ' -m '
    filter_optional_valid_path:
        Image|startswith: 'C:\~MSSETUP.T\'
    condition: selection and not 1 of filter_optional_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium