huntrule

Windows Process Creation: IExpress.exe Creating Self-Extracting Packages

Identifies IExpress.exe usage to generate self-extracting packages, including makecab.exe involvement and IExpress command-line patterns.

FreeReviewedSigma · Medium · v5
Product
windows
Category
process_creation
Author
Joseliyo Sanchez, @Joseliyo_Jstnk (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2024-02-05
Updated
2026-07-31
AnalysisDetection

ATT&CK techniques

Defense Evasion

  1. Recon

  2. Resource Dev

  3. Initial Access

  4. Execution

  5. Persistence

  6. Priv Esc

  7. Defense Evasion

  8. Cred Access

  9. Discovery

  10. Lateral Movement

  11. Collection

  12. C2

  13. Exfiltration

  14. Impact

What it detects

This rule identifies Windows executions where iexpress.exe is used to create self-extracting packages, based on process relationships and specific command-line patterns. Attackers may leverage iexpress to compile or package content for execution, making it important to review the exact invocation parameters and any referenced build files. It relies on process creation telemetry, including parent image, process image/original filename, and the iexpress command line (notably the presence of ' /n ').

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1218 — drag to rearrange
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Malicious ClickFix Execution Chain Spawning MSHTA via Pcalua on EtherRAT Infection
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Suspicious Renamed git Binary gcmd.exe Execution (via process_creation)
Windows Process Creation: IExpress.exe Creating Self-Extracting Packages
Pivot detection · T1218 · 9 related

Changelog

v5
  1. v5
    Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
  2. v4
    Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
  3. v3
    Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
  4. v2
    Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
  5. v1
    No changelog recorded for this version.2026-07-30

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