huntrule

Windows: msdeploy.exe Execution with sync and RunCommand Parameters

Flags msdeploy.exe executions that include sync verb plus RunCommand source and destination parameters.

FreeReviewedSigma · Medium · v2
Product
windows
Category
process_creation
Author
Beyu Denis, oscd.community (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2020-10-18
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 execution of msdeploy.exe when its command line includes the verb:sync along with -source:RunCommand and -dest:runCommand. Attackers may abuse this Microsoft signed binary to run or orchestrate actions via its built-in parameters, blending into legitimate administrative activity. The detection relies on Windows process creation telemetry, specifically the executed image path and the full command line contents.

Reporting behind it

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Windows: msdeploy.exe Execution with sync and RunCommand Parameters
Pivot detection · T1218 · 9 related

Changelog

v2
  1. v2
    Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
  2. 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.