Windows System Binary Execution From Unusual Location (Process Creation)

title: Windows System Binary Execution From Unusual Location (Process Creation)
id: 786bc3ba-aaa8-4888-956d-91bdc20fe223
related:
  - id: be58d2e2-06c8-4f58-b666-b99f6dc3b6cd
    type: derived
  - id: e4a6b256-3e47-40fc-89d2-7a477edd6915
    type: derived
status: test
description: This rule flags process creation events where a Windows system binary is executed from a path that does not match common system directories. Attackers often rely on executing legitimate binaries from unexpected locations to evade detection and blend in with normal activity. The detection relies on process creation telemetry, matching specific image names and excluding executions from several typical Windows folders and known environments such as PowerShell and WSL.
references:
  - https://twitter.com/GelosSnake/status/934900723426439170
  - https://asec.ahnlab.com/en/39828/
  - https://www.splunk.com/en_us/blog/security/inno-setup-malware-redline-stealer-campaign.html
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_susp_system_exe_anomaly.yml
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems), Patrick Bareiss, Anton Kutepov, oscd.community, Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), Huntrule Team
date: 2017-11-27
modified: 2026-07-28
tags:
  - attack.stealth
  - attack.t1036
logsource:
  category: process_creation
  product: windows
detection:
  selection:
    Image|endswith:
      - \atbroker.exe
      - \audiodg.exe
      - \bcdedit.exe
      - \bitsadmin.exe
      - \certreq.exe
      - \certutil.exe
      - \cmstp.exe
      - \conhost.exe
      - \consent.exe
      - \cscript.exe
      - \csrss.exe
      - \dashost.exe
      - \defrag.exe
      - \dfrgui.exe
      - \dism.exe
      - \dllhost.exe
      - \dllhst3g.exe
      - \dwm.exe
      - \eventvwr.exe
      - \fsquirt.exe
      - \finger.exe
      - \logonui.exe
      - \LsaIso.exe
      - \lsass.exe
      - \lsm.exe
      - \msiexec.exe
      - \ntoskrnl.exe
      - \powershell_ise.exe
      - \powershell.exe
      - \pwsh.exe
      - \regsvr32.exe
      - \rundll32.exe
      - \runonce.exe
      - \RuntimeBroker.exe
      - \schtasks.exe
      - \services.exe
      - \sihost.exe
      - \smartscreen.exe
      - \smss.exe
      - \spoolsv.exe
      - \svchost.exe
      - \taskhost.exe
      - \taskhostw.exe
      - \Taskmgr.exe
      - \userinit.exe
      - \werfault.exe
      - \werfaultsecure.exe
      - \wininit.exe
      - \winlogon.exe
      - \winver.exe
      - \wlanext.exe
      - \wmic.exe
      - \wscript.exe
      - \wsl.exe
      - \wsmprovhost.exe
  filter_main_generic:
    Image|startswith:
      - C:\$WINDOWS.~BT\
      - C:\$WinREAgent\
      - C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\
      - C:\Windows\System32\
      - C:\Windows\SystemTemp\
      - C:\Windows\SysWOW64\
      - C:\Windows\uus\
      - C:\Windows\WinSxS\
  filter_optional_system32:
    Image|contains: \SystemRoot\System32\
  filter_main_powershell:
    Image|contains:
      - C:\Program Files\PowerShell\7\
      - C:\Program Files\PowerShell\7-preview\
      - C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.PowerShellPreview
      - \AppData\Local\Microsoft\WindowsApps\Microsoft.PowerShellPreview
    Image|endswith: \pwsh.exe
  filter_main_wsl_programfiles:
    Image|startswith:
      - C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\MicrosoftCorporationII.WindowsSubsystemForLinux
      - C:\Program Files\WSL\
    Image|endswith: \wsl.exe
  filter_main_wsl_appdata:
    Image|startswith: C:\Users\
    Image|contains: \AppData\Local\Microsoft\WindowsApps\
    Image|endswith: \wsl.exe
  condition: selection and not 1 of filter_main_* and not 1 of filter_optional_*
falsepositives:
  - Unknown
level: high
regression_tests_path: regression_data/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_susp_system_exe_anomaly/info.yml
license: DRL-1.1