huntrule

Windows: PsExec Service File Creation via PSEXESVC.exe Written to Disk

Flags Windows file creation of \PSEXESVC.exe, indicating potential PsExec service deployment for remote execution.

FreeReviewedSigma · Low · v2
Product
windows
Category
file_event
Author
Thomas Patzke (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2017-06-12
Updated
2026-07-31
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 detects creation of the PsExec service executable by matching file write events for filenames ending with \PSEXESVC.exe. Creating and placing this service binary is a common step attackers use to execute PsExec on a host. It relies on Windows file event telemetry that includes the target filename of the created or written file.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1569.002 — drag to rearrange
Suspicious PsExec Service Named Sliver
PsExec Remote Service Execution on Target Host (via process_creation)
Renamed Procdump Tool Used for Dumping LSASS Process (via process_creation)
Suspicious Service Installation Masquerading as winupd
Suspicious PSexec Application Execution (via process_creation)
Malicious Metasploit PsExec Named Pipe Command Execution
Malicious PsExec Service Installation via PSEXESVC
Malicious NotPetya Payload Execution via Rundll32 Ordinal Export from Windows Directory
Suspicious Lateral Movement via PsExec Service (via process_creation)
Windows: PsExec Service File Creation via PSEXESVC.exe Written to Disk
Pivot detection · T1569.002 · 9 related

Changelog

v2
  1. v2
    Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
  2. 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.