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

ATT&CK techniques

Defense Evasion

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
- T1218System Binary Proxy Execution
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
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

Related detections9 linkedT1218 — drag to rearrange

Suspicious Cabinet Extraction of Masqueraded vstm Archive via extrac32

Malicious DLL Execution via Wuauclt Update Handler (via process_creation)

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
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-process-creation-runexehelper-exe-used-as-a-proxy-cd71385d

title: "Windows: Detect runexehelper.exe used to proxy-launch other programs"
id: a496a034-8a66-43ba-bd5a-5d9b3ca57f85
status: test
description: 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.
references:
  - https://twitter.com/0gtweet/status/1206692239839289344
  - https://lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/Binaries/Runexehelper/
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_lolbin_runexehelper.yml
author: frack113, Huntrule Team
date: 2022-12-29
tags:
  - attack.stealth
  - attack.t1218
logsource:
  category: process_creation
  product: windows
detection:
  selection:
    ParentImage|endswith: \runexehelper.exe
  condition: selection
falsepositives:
  - Unknown
level: medium
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: cd71385d-fd9b-4691-9b98-2b1f7e508714
    type: derived

Convert

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

SplunkSPL