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

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

Related detections9 linkedT1036.003 — drag to rearrange

Suspicious Renamed PowerShell Binary Execution (via process_creation)

Renamed Autohotkey Binary

Suspicious Masqueraded Rundll32 with Mismatched Original Filename (via process_creation)

Suspicious Renamed git Binary gcmd.exe Execution (via process_creation)

Renamed Execution of a Renamed Windows System Utility (via process_creation)

Suspicious Renamed Pythonw Interpreter Execution via XWorm Loader (via process_creation)

Suspicious PowerShell Masquerading as Windows Terminal via process_creation

Windows Schtasks Execution with Renamed schtasks.exe Binary

Windows RMM Tool MeshAgent Execution with Renamed MeshServiceName

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

Pivot detection · T1036.003 · 9 related

Changelog

v5

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

Convert

This rule as a query you can run. Uses no unlock credit.

SplunkSPL