Windows process command line matches WinPwn tool execution keywords

Alerts on Windows process executions with command-line keywords associated with WinPwn (WinPwn.exe/ps1/offline mode).

FreeReviewedSigma · High · v2

Product: windows
Category: process_creation
Author: Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published: 2023-12-04
Updated: 2026-07-31

ATT&CK techniques

Execution → Discovery

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
- T1106Native API
Persistence
Priv Esc
- T1548.002Bypass User Account Control
Defense Evasion
- T1548.002Bypass User Account Control
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule flags Windows process creation events whose command line contains specific WinPwn-related keywords such as WinPwn.exe, WinPwn.ps1, or Offline_Winpwn. Attackers may invoke WinPwn for Windows and Active Directory reconnaissance and exploitation workflows. The detection relies on process creation telemetry with access to the process command line string.

Reporting behind it

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Windows process command line matches WinPwn tool execution keywords

Pivot detection · T1555.003 · 9 related

Changelog

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-winpwn-keyword-execution-in-command-line-d557dc06

title: Windows process command line matches WinPwn tool execution keywords
id: e16878de-4ce0-4620-963f-0cbaa5125f54
related:
  - id: 851fd622-b675-4d26-b803-14bc7baa517a
    type: similar
  - id: d557dc06-62e8-4468-a8e8-7984124908ce
    type: derived
status: test
description: This rule flags Windows process creation events whose command line contains specific WinPwn-related keywords such as WinPwn.exe, WinPwn.ps1, or Offline_Winpwn. Attackers may invoke WinPwn for Windows and Active Directory reconnaissance and exploitation workflows. The detection relies on process creation telemetry with access to the process command line string.
author: Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel, Huntrule Team
date: 2023-12-04
references:
  - https://github.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn
  - https://www.publicnow.com/view/EB87DB49C654D9B63995FAD4C9DE3D3CC4F6C3ED?1671634841
  - https://reconshell.com/winpwn-tool-for-internal-windows-pentesting-and-ad-security/
  - https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/4d6c4e8e23d465af7a2388620cfe3f8c76e16cf0/atomics/T1082/T1082.md
  - https://grep.app/search?q=winpwn&filter[repo][0]=redcanaryco/atomic-red-team
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_hktl_winpwn.yml
tags:
  - attack.credential-access
  - attack.discovery
  - attack.execution
  - attack.privilege-escalation
  - attack.t1046
  - attack.t1082
  - attack.t1106
  - attack.t1518
  - attack.t1548.002
  - attack.t1552.001
  - attack.t1555
  - attack.t1555.003
logsource:
  category: process_creation
  product: windows
detection:
  selection:
    CommandLine|contains:
      - Offline_Winpwn
      - "WinPwn "
      - WinPwn.exe
      - WinPwn.ps1
  condition: selection
falsepositives:
  - Unknown
level: high
license: DRL-1.1

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