Unusual Extension Shim Database Deployment Through Sdbinst.EXE (via process_creation)

title: Unusual Extension Shim Database Deployment Through Sdbinst.EXE (via process_creation)
id: a61e5274-bd34-5cda-a2b3-826eb3df4eef
status: stable
description: This rule detects installation of a potentially anomalous new shim with an uncommon extension using sdbinst.exe. Adversaries may establish persistence and/or elevate privileges by running hostile content triggered by application shims
references:
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1546/011/
    - https://www.fireeye.com/blog/threat-research/2017/05/fin7-shim-databases-persistence.html
    - https://github.com/nasbench/Misc-Research/blob/8ee690e43a379cbce8c9d61107442c36bd9be3d3/Other/Undocumented-Flags-Sdbinst.md
author: Huntrule Team
date: 2026-07-15
tags:
    - attack.persistence
    - attack.privilege-escalation
    - attack.t1546.011
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        - Image|endswith: '\sdbinst.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'sdbinst.exe'
    filter_main_legit_ext:
        CommandLine|contains: '.sdb'
    filter_main_legit_extensions:
        - CommandLine|endswith:
              - ' -c'
              - ' -f'
              - ' -mm'
              - ' -t'
        - CommandLine|contains: ' -m -bg'
    filter_main_null:
        CommandLine:
    filter_main_empty:
        CommandLine: ''
    condition: selection and not 1 of filter_main_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium