huntrule

Windows: Detect runexehelper.exe used to proxy-launch other programs

Flags process executions where runexehelper.exe is the parent, suggesting proxy-based launching of other programs.

FreeReviewedSigma · Medium · v2
Product
windows
Category
process_creation
Author
frack113 (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2022-12-29
Updated
2026-07-31
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 executions where the parent process is runexehelper.exe, indicating it is being used to launch other programs as a proxy. Proxy-style LOLBIN behavior can help attackers blend execution under a trusted binary and reduce direct visibility into the launched payload. The detection relies on process creation telemetry, specifically the parent process image path ending with \runexehelper.exe.

Reporting behind it

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Malicious aspnet_compiler.exe Injection Host Spawned by PowerShell via process_creation
Malicious regsvcs LOLBin Loading Ransomware DLL from UNC Path
Suspicious RegAsm or RegSvcs Spawned by Script Host (via process_creation)
Suspicious Extexport DLL Side-Loading Execution
Malicious ClickFix Execution Chain Spawning MSHTA via Pcalua on EtherRAT Infection
Suspicious TALONITE Certutil LOLBIN Decode and Download Abuse (via process_creation)
Suspicious Renamed git Binary gcmd.exe Execution (via process_creation)
Windows: Detect runexehelper.exe used to proxy-launch other programs
Pivot detection · T1218 · 9 related

Changelog

v2
  1. v2
    Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
  2. 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.