huntrule

Windows Service Installation with PowerShell Download and Hidden Execution

Alerts on Windows service creation (7045) with ImagePath patterns indicating hidden/staged command execution.

FreeReviewedSigma · High · v2
Product
windows
Service
system
Author
pH-T (Nextron Systems), Florian Roth (Nextron Systems) (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2022-03-18
Updated
2026-07-31
AnalysisDetection

ATT&CK techniques

Persistence → Priv Esc

  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 Windows Service Control Manager events where a newly installed service is associated with suspicious ImagePath content. It looks for common PowerShell download patterns (downloadfile/downloadstring), execution modifiers such as nop and hidden, and telltale path usage like Temp, ADMIN$, or Perflogs. Attackers may use service installation to establish persistence and run code with elevated or concealed execution, so the rule relies on Windows system service creation telemetry (Event ID 7045) and the service ImagePath string.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1543.003 — drag to rearrange
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Suspicious ToyMaker LAGTOY Service Creation Masquerading as WmiPrvSV via sc.exe
Malicious Service Creation With Autostart binPath via sc.exe (via process_creation)
Malicious svchost Service Creation for TinyTurla Persistence (via process_creation)
Malicious Service Creation Masquerading as nslookup (via process_creation)
Interactive Service Creation Executing cmd via sc.exe
Malicious Known Vulnerable Driver Load for BYOVD Attack
Malicious ValleyRAT KernelQuick Rootkit Service and Shellcode Store Registry Keys
Windows Service Installation with PowerShell Download and Hidden Execution
Pivot detection · T1543.003 · 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.