Unusual Child Process Of Conhost.EXE (via process_creation)

title: Unusual Child Process Of Conhost.EXE (via process_creation)
id: cb096d2f-f436-5dd1-8f42-7fdac526acfb
status: stable
description: This rule detects uncommon "conhost" child processes. This could be a sign of "conhost" use as a LOLBIN or potential process injection activity.
references:
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1202/
    - http://www.hexacorn.com/blog/2020/05/25/how-to-con-your-host/
author: Huntrule Team
date: 2026-06-19
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1202
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        ParentImage|endswith: '\conhost.exe'
    filter_main_conhost:
        Image|endswith: ':\Windows\System32\conhost.exe'
    filter_main_null:
        Image:
    filter_main_empty:
        Image: ''
    filter_optional_provider:
        Provider_Name: 'SystemTraceProvider-Process'
    condition: selection and not 1 of filter_main_* and not 1 of filter_optional_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium