Suspicious Windows Service Creation via sc.exe

ATT&CK techniques

Persistence → Priv Esc

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
- T1543.003Windows Service
Priv Esc
- T1543.003Windows Service
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects creation of a new Windows service via sc.exe with a binary path argument. Adversaries register services for persistence and to execute payloads under SYSTEM. Because software installers also create services, review the binary path and service name for anomalies.

Reporting behind it

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Suspicious Windows Service Creation via sc.exe

Pivot detection · T1543.003 · 9 related

Detection content is published as a reviewed draft. Tune thresholds and exclusions against your own telemetry before enabling this rule for alerting.

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