huntrule

Windows msiexec.exe Execution from Uncommon Directory

Alerts when msiexec.exe starts from a non-standard path, which may indicate masquerading.

FreeReviewedSigma · High · v1
Product
windows
Category
process_creation
Author
Florian Roth (Nextron Systems) (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2019-11-14
Updated
2026-07-30
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 flags process creation events where msiexec.exe is executed from a directory other than the typical Windows locations. Attackers may masquerade or proxy trusted installer execution to blend into normal activity while running malicious payloads. Detection relies on Windows process creation telemetry fields for the executable path and the OriginalFileName.

Reporting behind it

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Windows msiexec.exe Execution from Uncommon Directory
Pivot detection · T1036.005 · 9 related

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