huntrule

Windows Process Creation: Sysinternals PsService (PsService*.exe) Execution

Alerts on execution of Sysinternals PsService (PsService*.exe) on Windows, which can support service discovery and tampering.

FreeReviewedSigma · Medium · v1
Product
windows
Category
process_creation
Author
Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems) (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2022-06-16
Updated
2026-07-30
AnalysisDetection

ATT&CK techniques

Persistence → Priv Esc

  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 process creation events where the executable name corresponds to Sysinternals PsService variants (psservice.exe and PsService*.exe). Attackers may use PsService to perform service-oriented discovery or to prepare for tampering as part of broader privilege escalation or persistence efforts. It relies on Windows process creation telemetry, matching the process image/original filename. Legitimate administrative use can also trigger the alert.

Reporting behind it

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Interactive Service Creation Executing cmd via sc.exe
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Windows Process Creation: Sysinternals PsService (PsService*.exe) Execution
Pivot detection · T1543.003 · 9 related

Detection content is published as a reviewed draft. Tune thresholds and exclusions against your own telemetry before enabling this rule for alerting.