huntrule

Windows Process Execution Triggered from WebDAV LNK Paths

Alerts on explorer.exe launching cmd/cscript/mshta/powershell/wscript/pwsh when the command line references a WebDAV \DavWWWRoot\ LNK path.

FreeReviewedSigma · Medium · v1
Product
windows
Category
process_creation
Author
Micah Babinski (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2023-08-21
Updated
2026-07-30
AnalysisDetection

ATT&CK techniques

Execution

  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 flags Windows process executions where the parent is explorer.exe and the spawned binary is a command interpreter or script host, with the command line containing a WebDAV directory path (\DavWWWRoot\). WebDAV-published shortcuts can be abused to lead users or processes into launching attacker-controlled content and commands. The detection relies on process creation telemetry, specifically parent image, process image, and the command line string.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1059.001 — drag to rearrange
Suspicious Web Browser Spawning Scripting or Command Interpreter (via process_creation)
Malicious PowerShell Spawned by File Explorer via FileFix Social Engineering (via process_creation)
Suspicious IIS Worker Process Spawning Command or Scripting Interpreter via SharePoint ToolShell Exploitation (via process_creation)
Suspicious PowerShell Download Cradle Spawned from Explorer via ClickFix Lure (via process_creation)
Malicious Interlock RAT FileFix Download-Cradle via PowerShell WebClient with PowerShell User-Agent (via ps_script)
Malicious Metasploit Stager Delivery via mshta Remote HTA (via process_creation)
Suspicious PowerShell Download of Disguised Payload to ProgramData
Suspicious PowerShell WebClient Download of Executable Payload
Malicious Script Host Spawning PowerShell in Gootloader Chain
Windows Process Execution Triggered from WebDAV LNK Paths
Pivot detection · T1059.001 · 9 related

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