Windows: PrintBrm.exe ZIP extraction or creation via command-line parameters

ATT&CK techniques

Defense Evasion → C2

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
- T1564.004NTFS File Attributes
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
- T1105Ingress Tool Transfer
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule flags execution of PrintBrm.exe when its command line includes the arguments '-f' and references a '.zip' file, indicating ZIP creation or extraction behavior. Attackers can use this LOLBin-like utility to package or extract files in a stealthy way, blending with legitimate Windows tooling. Detection relies on Windows process creation telemetry that includes the executable path/name and full command line.

Reporting behind it

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Windows: PrintBrm.exe ZIP extraction or creation via command-line parameters

Pivot detection · T1105 · 9 related

Changelog

v2

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

windows-printbrm-exe-zip-creation-extraction-via-command-line-flags-cafeeba3

title: "Windows: PrintBrm.exe ZIP extraction or creation via command-line parameters"
id: ab730970-a50e-471f-8ce3-ad91335ce2d6
status: test
description: This rule flags execution of PrintBrm.exe when its command line includes the arguments '-f' and references a '.zip' file, indicating ZIP creation or extraction behavior. Attackers can use this LOLBin-like utility to package or extract files in a stealthy way, blending with legitimate Windows tooling. Detection relies on Windows process creation telemetry that includes the executable path/name and full command line.
references:
  - https://lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/Binaries/PrintBrm/
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_lolbin_printbrm.yml
author: frack113, Huntrule Team
date: 2022-05-02
tags:
  - attack.command-and-control
  - attack.stealth
  - attack.t1105
  - attack.t1564.004
logsource:
  product: windows
  category: process_creation
detection:
  selection:
    Image|endswith: \PrintBrm.exe
    CommandLine|contains|all:
      - " -f"
      - .zip
  condition: selection
falsepositives:
  - Unknown
level: high
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: cafeeba3-01da-4ab4-b6c4-a31b1d9730c7
    type: derived

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