huntrule

Windows Process Creation: wfc.exe Execution for Workflow Command-line Compiler Abuse

Alerts on execution of wfc.exe by matching process image and OriginalFileName in Windows process creation logs.

FreeReviewedSigma · Medium · v1
Product
windows
Category
process_creation
Author
Christopher Peacock @SecurePeacock, SCYTHE @scythe_io (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2022-06-01
Updated
2026-07-30
AnalysisDetection

ATT&CK techniques

Execution → 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 process creation events where the executed binary is wfc.exe, identified by filename and OriginalFileName. wfc.exe can be abused to execute actions under the guise of a legitimate Windows workflow-related compiler component, which may help attackers blend in with normal software activity. It relies on process creation telemetry containing the process image path and the OriginalFileName field.

Reporting behind it

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Windows: Process creation involving VSIISExeLauncher.exe with -p and -a arguments
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Windows Process Creation: wfc.exe Execution for Workflow Command-line Compiler Abuse
Pivot detection · T1127 · 9 related

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