Windows UEFI Persistence: Detect wpbbin.exe Execution

Alerts on execution of C:\Windows\System32\wpbbin.exe, a potential indicator of UEFI persistence on Windows.

FreeUnreviewedSigmahighv1

windows-uefi-persistence-detect-wpbbin-exe-execution-4abc0ec4

title: "Windows UEFI Persistence: Detect wpbbin.exe Execution"
id: 99efcf39-d22e-4c11-a7f0-dcbfc2d917ea
status: test
description: This rule flags process creation events where the executable C:\Windows\System32\wpbbin.exe is run. Attackers may use wpbbin as part of UEFI-based persistence to maintain execution after reboot. It relies on Windows process creation telemetry that records the full image path for started processes.
references:
  - https://grzegorztworek.medium.com/using-uefi-to-inject-executable-files-into-bitlocker-protected-drives-8ff4ca59c94c
  - https://persistence-info.github.io/Data/wpbbin.html
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_wpbbin_potential_persistence.yml
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), Huntrule Team
date: 2022-07-18
tags:
  - attack.persistence
  - attack.stealth
  - attack.t1542.001
logsource:
  product: windows
  category: process_creation
detection:
  selection:
    Image: C:\Windows\System32\wpbbin.exe
  condition: selection
falsepositives:
  - Legitimate usage of the file by hardware manufacturer such as lenovo (Thanks @0gtweet for the tip)
level: high
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: 4abc0ec4-db5a-412f-9632-26659cddf145
    type: derived

What it detects

This rule flags process creation events where the executable C:\Windows\System32\wpbbin.exe is run. Attackers may use wpbbin as part of UEFI-based persistence to maintain execution after reboot. It relies on Windows process creation telemetry that records the full image path for started processes.

Known false positives

Legitimate usage of the file by hardware manufacturer such as lenovo (Thanks @0gtweet for the tip)

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