huntrule

Windows UAC bypass using wsreset.exe with high/SYSTEM integrity

Alerts when wsreset.exe is executed with elevated integrity (High or SYSTEM), indicating a potential UAC bypass attempt.

FreeReviewedSigma · High · v1
Product
windows
Category
process_creation
Author
Christian Burkard (Nextron Systems) (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2021-08-23
Updated
2026-07-30
AnalysisDetection

ATT&CK techniques

Priv Esc → Defense Evasion

  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 creation events where wsreset.exe runs with elevated integrity levels commonly associated with UAC bypass scenarios. Attackers abuse Windows components like wsreset.exe to attempt privilege escalation by launching a trusted binary in a context that indicates elevated execution. The detection relies on Windows process creation telemetry and the process integrity level reported for wsreset.exe (including High and SYSTEM-related SIDs).

Reporting behind it

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Malicious UAC Bypass via explorer.exe NOUACCHECK Argument
Suspicious UAC Bypass via ms-settings Shell Command Hijack (via registry_set)
Windows UAC bypass using wsreset.exe with high/SYSTEM integrity
Pivot detection · T1548.002 · 9 related

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