Windows Process Creation: WerFaultSecure.exe PPL Tampering with Dump/Impair Parameters
Alerts on WerFaultSecure.exe executions with PPL-related dump/impair command-line parameters that may target sensitive security protections.
- Product
- windows
- Category
- process_creation
- Author
- Jason (https://github.com/0xbcf) (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
- Published
- 2025-09-23
- Updated
- 2026-07-30
ATT&CK techniques
Cred AccessRecon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact
What it detects
This rule flags process creation where WerFaultSecure.exe is invoked with specific command-line parameters consistent with tampering involving Protected Process Light (PPL), such as dumping PPL-protected processes or impairing security tooling. Attackers can use this type of behavior to access sensitive credential material or to interfere with EDR/antivirus protection. The detection relies on Windows process creation telemetry and matches both the executable identity (image/original file name) and required argument patterns in the command line.
Reporting behind it
- zerosalarium.comhttps://www.zerosalarium.com/2025/09/EDR-Freeze-Puts-EDRs-Antivirus-Into-Coma.html
- github.comhttps://github.com/TwoSevenOneT/EDR-Freeze/blob/a7f61030b36fbde89871f393488f7075d2aa89f6/EDR-Freeze.cpp#L53
- zerosalarium.comhttps://www.zerosalarium.com/2025/09/Dumping-LSASS-With-WER-On-Modern-Windows-11.html
- github.comhttps://github.com/TwoSevenOneT/WSASS/blob/2c8fd9fa32143e7bc9f066e9511c6f8a57bc64b5/WSASS.cpp#L251
- github.comhttps://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_werfaultsecure_abuse.yml
Detection content is published as a reviewed draft. Tune thresholds and exclusions against your own telemetry before enabling this rule for alerting.
title: "Windows Process Creation: WerFaultSecure.exe PPL Tampering with Dump/Impair Parameters"
id: 5bb27f6e-a922-4707-934e-1017614890a8
related:
- id: 387df17d-3b04-448f-8669-9e7fd5e5fd8c
type: similar
- id: 8a2f4b1c-3d5e-4f7a-9b2c-1e4f6d8a9c2b
type: similar
- id: 1f0b4cac-9c81-41f4-95d0-8475ff46b3e2
type: derived
status: experimental
description: This rule flags process creation where WerFaultSecure.exe is invoked with specific command-line parameters consistent with tampering involving Protected Process Light (PPL), such as dumping PPL-protected processes or impairing security tooling. Attackers can use this type of behavior to access sensitive credential material or to interfere with EDR/antivirus protection. The detection relies on Windows process creation telemetry and matches both the executable identity (image/original file name) and required argument patterns in the command line.
references:
- https://www.zerosalarium.com/2025/09/EDR-Freeze-Puts-EDRs-Antivirus-Into-Coma.html
- https://github.com/TwoSevenOneT/EDR-Freeze/blob/a7f61030b36fbde89871f393488f7075d2aa89f6/EDR-Freeze.cpp#L53
- https://www.zerosalarium.com/2025/09/Dumping-LSASS-With-WER-On-Modern-Windows-11.html
- https://github.com/TwoSevenOneT/WSASS/blob/2c8fd9fa32143e7bc9f066e9511c6f8a57bc64b5/WSASS.cpp#L251
- https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_werfaultsecure_abuse.yml
author: Jason (https://github.com/0xbcf), Huntrule Team
date: 2025-09-23
modified: 2025-11-23
tags:
- attack.defense-impairment
- attack.t1685
- attack.credential-access
- attack.t1003.001
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection_image:
- Image|endswith: \WerFaultSecure.exe
- OriginalFileName: WerFaultSecure.exe
selection_args:
CommandLine|contains|all:
- " /h "
- " /pid "
- " /tid "
- " /encfile "
- " /cancel "
- " /type "
- " 268310"
condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
- Legitimate usage of WerFaultSecure for debugging purposes
level: high
regression_tests_path: regression_data/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_werfaultsecure_abuse/info.yml
license: DRL-1.1