Windows New Service Creation via sc.exe

title: Windows New Service Creation via sc.exe
id: 8e565693-e9c7-4a66-8fe2-58f89ac17d83
related:
  - id: c02e96b7-c63a-4c47-bd83-4a9f74afcfb2
    type: similar
  - id: 85ff530b-261d-48c6-a441-facaa2e81e48
    type: derived
status: test
description: This rule identifies the creation of a new Windows service executed with the sc.exe utility by matching process creation where the command line includes both the create operation and the binPath parameter. Service creation is a key mechanism for persistence and privilege impact, making misuse stand out during endpoint activity monitoring. It relies on Windows process creation telemetry, specifically the sc.exe process name/path and its command-line arguments, while excluding events spawned from Dropbox-related parent processes.
references:
  - https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1543.003/T1543.003.md
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_sc_create_service.yml
author: Timur Zinniatullin, Daniil Yugoslavskiy, oscd.community, Huntrule Team
date: 2023-02-20
modified: 2025-09-01
tags:
  - attack.persistence
  - attack.privilege-escalation
  - attack.t1543.003
logsource:
  category: process_creation
  product: windows
detection:
  selection:
    Image|endswith: \sc.exe
    CommandLine|contains|all:
      - create
      - binPath
  filter_optional_dropbox:
    ParentImage|startswith:
      - C:\Program Files (x86)\Dropbox\Client\
      - C:\Program Files\Dropbox\Client\
    ParentImage|endswith: \Dropbox.exe
  condition: selection and not 1 of filter_optional_*
falsepositives:
  - Legitimate administrator or user creates a service for legitimate reasons.
  - Software installation
level: low
license: DRL-1.1