Windows Arbitrary File Download via GfxDownloadWrapper.exe URL Argument Execution

ATT&CK techniques

C2

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
- T1105Ingress Tool Transfer
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule matches process creation where GfxDownloadWrapper.exe is executed with a command line containing an HTTP or HTTPS URL. Such behavior can be used to retrieve external payloads or stages from attacker-controlled infrastructure. The detection relies on Windows process creation telemetry, specifically the executable path and command-line contents.

Reporting behind it

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Windows Arbitrary File Download via GfxDownloadWrapper.exe URL Argument Execution

Pivot detection · T1105 · 9 related

Changelog

v2

v2
Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
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.

windows-gfxdownloadwrapper-exe-used-for-arbitrary-file-download-from-a-url-eee00933

title: Windows Arbitrary File Download via GfxDownloadWrapper.exe URL Argument Execution
id: 218e3dc1-f609-408e-915d-2d065bd313f7
status: test
description: This rule matches process creation where GfxDownloadWrapper.exe is executed with a command line containing an HTTP or HTTPS URL. Such behavior can be used to retrieve external payloads or stages from attacker-controlled infrastructure. The detection relies on Windows process creation telemetry, specifically the executable path and command-line contents.
references:
  - https://lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/HonorableMentions/GfxDownloadWrapper/
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_gfxdownloadwrapper_arbitrary_file_download.yml
author: Victor Sergeev, oscd.community, Huntrule Team
date: 2020-10-09
modified: 2023-10-18
tags:
  - attack.command-and-control
  - attack.t1105
logsource:
  category: process_creation
  product: windows
detection:
  selection:
    Image|endswith: \GfxDownloadWrapper.exe
    CommandLine|contains:
      - http://
      - https://
  filter_main_known_urls:
    CommandLine|contains: https://gameplayapi.intel.com/
  condition: selection and not 1 of filter_main_*
falsepositives:
  - Unknown
level: medium
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: eee00933-a761-4cd0-be70-c42fe91731e7
    type: derived

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