Windows msiexec Process Creation With Web URL Parameters

Alerts when msiexec is launched with command-line web URL indicators in its parameters.

FreeReviewedSigma · Medium · v1

Product: windows
Category: process_creation
Author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems) (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published: 2018-02-09
Updated: 2026-07-30

ATT&CK techniques

Defense Evasion → C2

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
- T1218.007Msiexec
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
- T1105Ingress Tool Transfer
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule flags newly created msiexec processes whose command line contains both an msiexec invocation and a web URL indicator (" ://"), suggesting installation content referenced via network locations. Attackers may use msiexec to run installation packages from remote sources to blend execution with legitimate Windows behavior. The detection relies on Windows process creation telemetry capturing the full command line of the spawned msiexec process.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1105 — drag to rearrange

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Suspicious Remote MSI Installation via msiexec from HTTP URL

Possible PurpleFox MSHTA to Msiexec Remote MSI Chain

Malicious Remote MSI Execution with Image Extension via msiexec (via process_creation)

Suspicious Msiexec Remote Package Installation from URL via Process Creation

Masquerading Bumblebee Loader MSI Download via PowerShell Invoke-WebRequest and Silent msiexec (via process_creation)

Suspicious File Download via CertUtil URLCache (via process_creation)

Suspicious PowerShell Download of Disguised Payload to ProgramData

Windows msiexec Process Creation With Web URL Parameters

Pivot detection · T1105 · 9 related

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

windows-msiexec-process-creation-with-web-url-parameters-f7b5f842

title: Windows msiexec Process Creation With Web URL Parameters
id: 10af3818-c2c1-4889-80d7-5279a1495602
related:
  - id: 8150732a-0c9d-4a99-82b9-9efb9b90c40c
    type: similar
  - id: f7b5f842-a6af-4da5-9e95-e32478f3cd2f
    type: derived
status: test
description: This rule flags newly created msiexec processes whose command line contains both an msiexec invocation and a web URL indicator (" ://"), suggesting installation content referenced via network locations. Attackers may use msiexec to run installation packages from remote sources to blend execution with legitimate Windows behavior. The detection relies on Windows process creation telemetry capturing the full command line of the spawned msiexec process.
references:
  - https://blog.trendmicro.com/trendlabs-security-intelligence/attack-using-windows-installer-msiexec-exe-leads-lokibot/
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_msiexec_web_install.yml
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems), Huntrule Team
date: 2018-02-09
modified: 2022-01-07
tags:
  - attack.stealth
  - attack.t1218.007
  - attack.command-and-control
  - attack.t1105
logsource:
  category: process_creation
  product: windows
detection:
  selection:
    CommandLine|contains|all:
      - " msiexec"
      - ://
  condition: selection
falsepositives:
  - False positives depend on scripts and administrative tools used in the monitored environment
level: medium
license: DRL-1.1

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This rule as a query you can run. Uses no unlock credit.

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