Windows Process Creation: SharpSuccessor.exe Execution with Impersonation Parameters

Alerts on SharpSuccessor.exe command-line patterns indicative of Windows privilege escalation attempts.

FreeReviewedSigma · High · v2
Product
windows
Category
process_creation
Author
Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel (Nextron Systems) (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2025-06-06
Updated
2026-07-31
title: "Windows Process Creation: SharpSuccessor.exe Execution with Impersonation Parameters"
id: 35d01d4e-db7a-4767-aa23-05b0a8744202
status: experimental
description: This rule flags process creation events where SharpSuccessor.exe is executed with command-line arguments indicating impersonation. An attacker could use this tool to attempt privilege escalation in Active Directory environments by leveraging the impersonation-related options. The detection relies on Windows process telemetry, specifically the executable name/path, original file name, and command-line contents.
references:
  - https://github.com/logangoins/SharpSuccessor
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_hktl_sharpsuccessor_execution.yml
author: Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel (Nextron Systems), Huntrule Team
date: 2025-06-06
tags:
  - attack.privilege-escalation
  - attack.t1068
logsource:
  category: process_creation
  product: windows
detection:
  selection:
    - Image|endswith: \SharpSuccessor.exe
    - OriginalFileName: SharpSuccessor.exe
    - CommandLine|contains: SharpSuccessor
    - CommandLine|contains|all:
        - " add "
        - " /impersonate"
        - " /path"
        - " /account"
        - " /name"
  condition: selection
falsepositives:
  - Unknown
level: high
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: 38a1ac5f-9c74-47d2-a345-dd6f5eb4e7c8
    type: derived