Windows Process Execution: msdt.exe Launched with -cab Flag

Alerts when msdt.exe is started with the "-cab" argument, consistent with suspicious cabinet-based diagcab usage.

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windows-process-execution-msdt-exe-launched-with-cab-flag-dc4576d4

title: "Windows Process Execution: msdt.exe Launched with -cab Flag"
id: 886d0c3a-0dc8-4be1-bf13-615d25f0b5cd
related:
  - id: 6545ce61-a1bd-4119-b9be-fcbee42c0cf3
    type: obsolete
  - id: dc4576d4-7467-424f-9eee-fd2b02855fe0
    type: derived
status: test
description: This rule flags Windows process creation events where msdt.exe is executed and the command line contains the " -cab " argument. Attackers may use this flag to run troubleshooting components with crafted cabinet-based inputs, which can enable stealthy execution paths. The detection relies on process creation telemetry including the executable path and the full command line.
references:
  - https://twitter.com/nas_bench/status/1537896324837781506
  - https://github.com/GossiTheDog/ThreatHunting/blob/e85884abbf05d5b41efc809ea6532b10b45bd05c/AdvancedHuntingQueries/DogWalk-DiagCab
  - https://github.com/elastic/protections-artifacts/commit/746086721fd385d9f5c6647cada1788db4aea95f#diff-9015912909545e72ed42cbac4d1e96295e8964579c406d23fd9c47a8091576a0
  - https://irsl.medium.com/the-trouble-with-microsofts-troubleshooters-6e32fc80b8bd
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_msdt_susp_cab_options.yml
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), GossiTheDog, frack113, Huntrule Team
date: 2022-06-21
modified: 2024-03-13
tags:
  - attack.stealth
  - attack.t1202
logsource:
  category: process_creation
  product: windows
detection:
  selection_img:
    - Image|endswith: \msdt.exe
    - OriginalFileName: msdt.exe
  selection_cmd:
    CommandLine|contains|windash: " -cab "
  condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
  - Legitimate usage of ".diagcab" files
level: medium
license: DRL-1.1

What it detects

This rule flags Windows process creation events where msdt.exe is executed and the command line contains the " -cab " argument. Attackers may use this flag to run troubleshooting components with crafted cabinet-based inputs, which can enable stealthy execution paths. The detection relies on process creation telemetry including the executable path and the full command line.

Known false positives

Legitimate usage of ".diagcab" files

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