huntrule

Windows sc.exe Service Query for termservice Enumeration

Alerts on sc.exe service querying that references termservice on Windows.

FreeReviewedSigma · Low · v1
Product
windows
Category
process_creation
Author
Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2024-02-12
Updated
2026-07-30
AnalysisDetection

ATT&CK techniques

Cred Access

  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 flags process executions of sc.exe where the command line includes a service query and specifically references termservice. Attackers commonly enumerate available services to identify reachable targets and potential follow-on attack paths. Telemetry relied upon is Windows process creation events, including Image/OriginalFileName and CommandLine content matching sc.exe, the query operation, and termservice.

Reporting behind it

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Malicious Wdigest Authentication Enabled - Reg via Command (via process_creation)
Windows sc.exe Service Query for termservice Enumeration
Pivot detection · T1003 · 9 related

Detection content is published as a reviewed draft. Tune thresholds and exclusions against your own telemetry before enabling this rule for alerting.