Windows Process Creation: WMIC.exe ActiveScriptEventConsumer Creation Attempt

Alerts on WMIC.exe command lines attempting to create an ActiveScriptEventConsumer for event-driven script execution.

FreeReviewedSigma · High · v1

Product: windows
Category: process_creation
Author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems) (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published: 2021-06-25
Updated: 2026-07-30

ATT&CK techniques

Persistence → Priv Esc

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
- T1546.003Windows Management Instrumentation Event Subscription
Priv Esc
- T1546.003Windows Management Instrumentation Event Subscription
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule flags process creation events where WMIC.exe is executed with command-line text indicating creation of an ActiveScriptEventConsumer. ActiveScriptEventConsumer can trigger predefined VBScript or JScript execution in response to system events, making it a valuable persistence mechanism for attackers. The detection relies on Windows process creation telemetry, matching WMIC.exe image/path ending and specific command-line substrings containing "ActiveScriptEventConsumer" and " CREATE ".

Reporting behind it

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Windows Process Creation: WMIC.exe ActiveScriptEventConsumer Creation Attempt

Pivot detection · T1546.003 · 9 related

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-wmic-exe-activescripteventconsumer-creation-attempt-ebef4391

title: "Windows Process Creation: WMIC.exe ActiveScriptEventConsumer Creation Attempt"
id: c89a9efc-aee5-4c60-aa96-aa7062781e26
status: test
description: This rule flags process creation events where WMIC.exe is executed with command-line text indicating creation of an ActiveScriptEventConsumer. ActiveScriptEventConsumer can trigger predefined VBScript or JScript execution in response to system events, making it a valuable persistence mechanism for attackers. The detection relies on Windows process creation telemetry, matching WMIC.exe image/path ending and specific command-line substrings containing "ActiveScriptEventConsumer" and " CREATE ".
references:
  - https://twitter.com/johnlatwc/status/1408062131321270282?s=12
  - https://www.fireeye.com/content/dam/fireeye-www/global/en/current-threats/pdfs/wp-windows-management-instrumentation.pdf
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_wmic_eventconsumer_creation.yml
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems), Huntrule Team
date: 2021-06-25
modified: 2026-06-19
tags:
  - attack.privilege-escalation
  - attack.persistence
  - attack.t1546.003
logsource:
  category: process_creation
  product: windows
detection:
  selection_img:
    - OriginalFileName: wmic.exe
    - Image|endswith: \WMIC.exe
  selection_cli:
    CommandLine|contains|all:
      - ActiveScriptEventConsumer
      - " CREATE "
  condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
  - Legitimate software creating script event consumers
level: high
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: ebef4391-1a81-4761-a40a-1db446c0e625
    type: derived

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