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

ATT&CK techniques

Execution

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
- T1569.002Service Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
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 PsExec Service Installation via PSEXESVC

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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

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-psexec-service-file-creation-via-psexesvc-exe-259e5a6a

title: "Windows: PsExec Service File Creation via PSEXESVC.exe Written to Disk"
id: 83582057-01a0-4bcd-8d59-96344dbb2846
related:
  - id: 42c575ea-e41e-41f1-b248-8093c3e82a28
    type: derived
  - id: 259e5a6a-b8d2-4c38-86e2-26c5e651361d
    type: derived
status: test
description: 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.
references:
  - https://www.jpcert.or.jp/english/pub/sr/ir_research.html
  - https://jpcertcc.github.io/ToolAnalysisResultSheet
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/file/file_event/file_event_win_sysinternals_psexec_service.yml
author: Thomas Patzke, Huntrule Team
date: 2017-06-12
modified: 2022-10-26
tags:
  - attack.execution
  - attack.t1569.002
  - attack.s0029
logsource:
  category: file_event
  product: windows
detection:
  selection:
    TargetFilename|endswith: \PSEXESVC.exe
  condition: selection
falsepositives:
  - Unknown
level: low
license: DRL-1.1

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