huntrule

Windows Process Creation: Winnti Pipemon setup* Command-Line Parameters

Alerts on Windows processes launching Pipemon-style setup.exe command lines with specific -p or -x:n flags.

FreeReviewedSigma · Critical · v5
Product
windows
Category
process_creation
Author
Florian Roth (Nextron Systems), oscd.community (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2020-07-30
Updated
2026-07-31
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 Windows process creation events where the command line matches specific Pipemon setup executables and argument patterns. Attackers may use these parameters to execute or stage malware components while attempting to blend in with similarly named installers. The detection relies on process creation telemetry with full command-line visibility, matching on substring and suffix conditions.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1574.001 — drag to rearrange
Suspicious Service DLL Hijack of IKEEXT or PrintNotify
Malicious PowerShell Spawned by Masqueraded NVIDIA GeForce Experience Binary
Suspicious msimg32.dll Loaded from Non-System Directory
DLL Side-Loading via Signed Binary Loading Known Malicious Helper DLL
Suspicious DLL Sideloading via msdtc oci.dll Install (via process_creation)
Suspicious wmicodegen.dll Sideload by inetinfo.exe (UAT-8099 Cobalt Strike)
Suspicious LucidRook DismCore.dll Side-Load into Browser Process
Suspicious Encrypted Implant File Creation for DLL Search Order Hijacking (RainyDay Turian PlugX)
Suspicious RoboForm Signed Binary Executed From Non-Standard Path (via process_creation)
Windows Process Creation: Winnti Pipemon setup* Command-Line Parameters
Pivot detection · T1574.001 · 9 related

Changelog

v5
  1. v5
    Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
  2. v4
    Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
  3. v3
    Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
  4. v2
    Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
  5. 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.