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Windows VMwareToolBoxCmd.exe Script/Set Execution Used for VM State Persistence

Alerts on VMwareToolBoxCmd.exe launched with script/set flags and command-line hints of a suspicious VM state persistence setup.

FreeReviewedSigma · High · v1
Product
windows
Category
process_creation
Author
Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems) (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2023-06-14
Updated
2026-07-30
AnalysisDetection

ATT&CK techniques

Execution

  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 process creation where VMwareToolBoxCmd.exe is launched with the script and set flags, indicating an attempt to configure a VM state change script. Such persistence matters because it can cause actions to run automatically in response to specific virtualization states. The detection relies on process creation telemetry, matching the executable image/original filename and requiring suspicious command-line flag usage and potentially risky script locations.

Reporting behind it

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Windows VMwareToolBoxCmd.exe Script/Set Execution Used for VM State Persistence
Pivot detection · T1059 · 9 related

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