Windows: Detect Renamed ps.exe Executing netstat via cmd /c

Alerts on Windows executions of renamed PsTool-like ps.exe that include accept-eula and netstat via cmd.exe.

FreeReviewedSigma · High · v5

Product: windows
Category: process_creation
Author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems) (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published: 2017-10-22
Updated: 2026-07-31

ATT&CK techniques

Defense Evasion

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
- T1036.003Rename Legitimate Utilities
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule identifies process creation where the command line contains 'ps.exe -accepteula' and also includes '-s cmd /c netstat'. Attackers may rename Sysinternals utilities to evade simplistic allowlists and then run system reconnaissance commands through cmd. Telemetry relies on Windows process creation events including the full command line.

Reporting behind it

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Windows: Detect Renamed ps.exe Executing netstat via cmd /c

Pivot detection · T1036.003 · 9 related

Changelog

v5
Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
v4
Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
v3
Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
v2
Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
v1
No 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.

windows-ps-exe-commandline-renaming-of-sysinternals-pstool-execution-18da1007

title: "Windows: Detect Renamed ps.exe Executing netstat via cmd /c"
id: 2fd03545-218d-44bd-ab75-9ae00167a38b
status: test
description: This rule identifies process creation where the command line contains 'ps.exe -accepteula' and also includes '-s cmd /c netstat'. Attackers may rename Sysinternals utilities to evade simplistic allowlists and then run system reconnaissance commands through cmd. Telemetry relies on Windows process creation events including the full command line.
references:
  - https://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/alerts/TA17-293A
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules-emerging-threats/2017/TA/Dragonfly/proc_creation_win_apt_ta17_293a_ps.yml
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems), Huntrule Team
date: 2017-10-22
modified: 2023-05-02
tags:
  - attack.stealth
  - attack.g0035
  - attack.t1036.003
  - car.2013-05-009
  - detection.emerging-threats
logsource:
  category: process_creation
  product: windows
detection:
  selection:
    CommandLine|contains|all:
      - ps.exe -accepteula
      - -s cmd /c netstat
  condition: selection
falsepositives:
  - Renamed SysInternals tool
level: high
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: 18da1007-3f26-470f-875d-f77faf1cab31
    type: derived

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