Windows Process Injection via Mavinject Using INJECTRUNNING Flag
Alerts on Windows process creation using Mavinject with /INJECTRUNNING, indicative of DLL injection into a running process.
- Product
- windows
- Category
- process_creation
- Author
- frack113, Florian Roth (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
- Published
- 2021-07-12
- Updated
- 2026-07-31
ATT&CK techniques
Priv Esc → Defense EvasionRecon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact
What it detects
This rule identifies Windows process injection attempts where the signed tool Mavinject is launched with the /INJECTRUNNING flag. Attackers use process injection to execute code inside a running process to evade detection and blend activity with legitimate processes. The detection relies on process creation telemetry, specifically matching the command line containing the /INJECTRUNNING argument while excluding a specific expected parent process (AppVClient.exe).
Reporting behind it
- github.comhttps://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1218/T1218.md
- github.comhttps://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1056.004/T1056.004.md
- posts.specterops.iohttps://posts.specterops.io/mavinject-exe-functionality-deconstructed-c29ab2cf5c0e
- twitter.comhttps://twitter.com/gN3mes1s/status/941315826107510784
- reaqta.comhttps://reaqta.com/2017/12/mavinject-microsoft-injector/
- twitter.comhttps://twitter.com/Hexacorn/status/776122138063409152
- github.comhttps://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/issues/3742
- github.comhttps://github.com/keyboardcrunch/SentinelOne-ATTACK-Queries/blob/6a228d23eefe963ca81f2d52f94b815f61ef5ee0/Tactics/DefenseEvasion.md#t1055-process-injection
- github.comhttps://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_lolbin_mavinject_process_injection.yml
Changelog
v2- v2Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
- v1No 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.
title: Windows Process Injection via Mavinject Using INJECTRUNNING Flag
id: 587e8127-6f7a-4fba-ae90-0a0e94b866c4
related:
- id: 17eb8e57-9983-420d-ad8a-2c4976c22eb8
type: obsolete
- id: 4f73421b-5a0b-4bbf-a892-5a7fb99bea66
type: derived
status: test
description: This rule identifies Windows process injection attempts where the signed tool Mavinject is launched with the /INJECTRUNNING flag. Attackers use process injection to execute code inside a running process to evade detection and blend activity with legitimate processes. The detection relies on process creation telemetry, specifically matching the command line containing the /INJECTRUNNING argument while excluding a specific expected parent process (AppVClient.exe).
references:
- https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1218/T1218.md
- https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1056.004/T1056.004.md
- https://posts.specterops.io/mavinject-exe-functionality-deconstructed-c29ab2cf5c0e
- https://twitter.com/gN3mes1s/status/941315826107510784
- https://reaqta.com/2017/12/mavinject-microsoft-injector/
- https://twitter.com/Hexacorn/status/776122138063409152
- https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/issues/3742
- https://github.com/keyboardcrunch/SentinelOne-ATTACK-Queries/blob/6a228d23eefe963ca81f2d52f94b815f61ef5ee0/Tactics/DefenseEvasion.md#t1055-process-injection
- https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_lolbin_mavinject_process_injection.yml
author: frack113, Florian Roth, Huntrule Team
date: 2021-07-12
modified: 2022-12-05
tags:
- attack.privilege-escalation
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1055.001
- attack.t1218.013
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection:
CommandLine|contains: " /INJECTRUNNING "
filter:
ParentImage: C:\Windows\System32\AppVClient.exe
condition: selection and not filter
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
license: DRL-1.1