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

ATT&CK techniques

Execution → Defense Evasion

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
- T1574.001DLL
Persistence
- T1574.001DLL
Priv Esc
- T1574.001DLL
Defense Evasion
- T1574.001DLL
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
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

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

Pivot detection · T1574.001 · 9 related

Changelog

v5
Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
v4
Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
v3
Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
v2
Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
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.

windows-process-creation-winnti-pipemon-setup-exe-command-line-flags-73d70463

title: "Windows Process Creation: Winnti Pipemon setup* Command-Line Parameters"
id: ded7cb1c-110f-4461-bf2f-a5466454d895
status: stable
description: 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.
references:
  - https://www.welivesecurity.com/2020/05/21/no-game-over-winnti-group/
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules-emerging-threats/2020/TA/Winnti/proc_creation_win_apt_winnti_pipemon.yml
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems), oscd.community, Huntrule Team
date: 2020-07-30
modified: 2021-11-27
tags:
  - attack.privilege-escalation
  - attack.persistence
  - attack.execution
  - attack.stealth
  - attack.t1574.001
  - attack.g0044
  - detection.emerging-threats
logsource:
  category: process_creation
  product: windows
detection:
  selection_1:
    CommandLine|contains: setup0.exe -p
  selection_2:
    CommandLine|contains: setup.exe
    CommandLine|endswith:
      - -x:0
      - -x:1
      - -x:2
  condition: 1 of selection_*
falsepositives:
  - Legitimate setups that use similar flags
level: critical
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: 73d70463-75c9-4258-92c6-17500fe972f2
    type: derived

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