Windows netsh Trace Start Command Execution
Flags netsh.exe launched with "trace" and "start", commonly used to begin a network trace capture on Windows.
- Product
- windows
- Category
- process_creation
- Author
- Kutepov Anton, oscd.community (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
- Published
- 2019-10-24
- Updated
- 2026-07-30
ATT&CK techniques
Cred Access → DiscoveryRecon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact
What it detects
This rule identifies process creation of netsh.exe where the command line includes both the keywords "trace" and "start", indicating a network trace capture is being initiated. Attackers can use built-in Windows tooling like netsh to collect network activity for discovery or investigation without installing additional software. The detection relies on Windows process creation telemetry, matching the process image/original filename and the presence of the specified command-line terms.
Reporting behind it
- blogs.msdn.microsoft.comhttps://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/canberrapfe/2012/03/30/capture-a-network-trace-without-installing-anything-capture-a-network-trace-of-a-reboot/
- klausjochem.mehttps://klausjochem.me/2016/02/03/netsh-the-cyber-attackers-tool-of-choice/
- github.comhttps://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_netsh_packet_capture.yml
Detection content is published as a reviewed draft. Tune thresholds and exclusions against your own telemetry before enabling this rule for alerting.
title: Windows netsh Trace Start Command Execution
id: 4eb7d324-a865-491a-b8a8-ffa4a8023ddf
status: test
description: This rule identifies process creation of netsh.exe where the command line includes both the keywords "trace" and "start", indicating a network trace capture is being initiated. Attackers can use built-in Windows tooling like netsh to collect network activity for discovery or investigation without installing additional software. The detection relies on Windows process creation telemetry, matching the process image/original filename and the presence of the specified command-line terms.
references:
- https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/canberrapfe/2012/03/30/capture-a-network-trace-without-installing-anything-capture-a-network-trace-of-a-reboot/
- https://klausjochem.me/2016/02/03/netsh-the-cyber-attackers-tool-of-choice/
- https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_netsh_packet_capture.yml
author: Kutepov Anton, oscd.community, Huntrule Team
date: 2019-10-24
modified: 2023-02-13
tags:
- attack.discovery
- attack.credential-access
- attack.t1040
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection_img:
- Image|endswith: \netsh.exe
- OriginalFileName: netsh.exe
selection_cli:
CommandLine|contains|all:
- trace
- start
condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
- Legitimate administration activity
level: medium
license: DRL-1.1
related:
- id: d3c3861d-c504-4c77-ba55-224ba82d0118
type: derived