Suspicious Userinit Child Process (via process_creation)

title: Suspicious Userinit Child Process (via process_creation)
id: 82cba7d1-f42f-5137-aa91-a4e268d23742
status: stable
description: This rule detects an anomalous child process of userinit
references:
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1055/
    - https://twitter.com/SBousseaden/status/1139811587760562176
author: Huntrule Team
date: 2026-06-12
tags:
    - attack.privilege-escalation
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1055
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        ParentImage|endswith: '\userinit.exe'
    filter_main_netlogon:
        CommandLine|contains: '\netlogon\'
    filter_main_explorer:
        - Image|endswith: '\explorer.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'explorer.exe'
        - CommandLine: 'C:\Windows\Explorer.EXE'
    filter_main_null:
        Image:
    condition: selection and not 1 of filter_main_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium