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
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Malicious Service Execution via PAExec
Suspicious RemCom Service Named Pipe for Lateral Movement (via pipe_created)
Malicious CACTUS Ransomware Deployment via TotalExec Script (via ps_script)
Malicious PsExec Service Binary Execution from Windows Directory via services.exe (via process_creation)
Malicious Remote Command Execution via smbexec Output Redirection Pattern
Malicious Lateral Movement via PsExec File-List Target
Malicious PsExec SYSTEM Interactive Shell Execution (via process_creation)
Suspicious PsExec Service Named Sliver
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.