huntrule

Windows Process Creation with taskmgr.exe as Parent Process

Flags process creation where taskmgr.exe is the parent, excluding a few known benign child process images.

FreeReviewedSigma · Low · v1
Product
windows
Category
process_creation
Author
Florian Roth (Nextron Systems) (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2018-03-13
Updated
2026-07-30
AnalysisDetection

ATT&CK techniques

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 alerts when a new process is created with taskmgr.exe as the parent process, indicating process spawning from the Windows Task Manager. Attackers can use legitimate Windows binaries and user-context tools to launch payloads while blending in with normal activity. The detection relies on Windows process creation telemetry, specifically parent and image path fields to identify taskmgr.exe as the parent and exclude a small set of common taskmgr-related processes.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1036 — drag to rearrange
Suspicious Rclone Exfiltration Masquerading as wininit.exe
Suspicious Executable Running from Public Pictures Directory
Suspicious Python Execution via Renamed Synaptics Binary
Agent Tesla Persistence via Realtek Named Scheduled Task Batch
Suspicious Interlock Fake Updater Executable Execution
Malicious User Account Created by a Computer Account (via security)
Suspicious Execution of agent.exe From WinSyncDefender AppData Directory (via process_creation)
Malicious Scheduled Task Masquerading as Auto Update via schtasks (via process_creation)
Suspicious Novaservice Binary Executing From Public User Directory (via process_creation)
Windows Process Creation with taskmgr.exe as Parent Process
Pivot detection · T1036 · 9 related

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