Windows WMIC.exe Product Class Reconnaissance via Security Product Queries

Detects wmic.exe being used to enumerate firewall, antivirus, and antispyware product classes.

FreeUnreviewedSigmamediumv1

windows-wmic-exe-product-class-reconnaissance-via-security-product-queries-e568650b

title: Windows WMIC.exe Product Class Reconnaissance via Security Product Queries
id: 4c9a2f59-4c62-4065-8ddb-44bb4d11a71f
status: test
description: This rule flags execution of wmic.exe where the command line queries for specific product classes related to security tooling, including AntiVirusProduct, AntiSpywareProduct, and FirewallProduct. Enumerating installed security products helps an attacker understand existing defenses and potentially select techniques to evade detection or disable protection. The detection relies on Windows process creation telemetry, matching the wmic.exe executable and the presence of those product class terms in the command line.
references:
  - https://github.com/albertzsigovits/malware-notes/blob/c820c7fea76cf76a861b28ebc77e06100e20ec29/Ransomware/Maze.md
  - https://www.hybrid-analysis.com/sample/4be06ecd234e2110bd615649fe4a6fa95403979acf889d7e45a78985eb50acf9?environmentId=1
  - https://www.trendmicro.com/en_us/research/25/c/socgholishs-intrusion-techniques-facilitate-distribution-of-rans.html
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_wmic_recon_product_class.yml
author: Michael Haag, Florian Roth (Nextron Systems), juju4, oscd.community, Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel (Nextron Systems), Huntrule Team
date: 2023-02-14
modified: 2025-03-17
tags:
  - attack.execution
  - attack.t1047
  - attack.discovery
  - attack.t1082
logsource:
  category: process_creation
  product: windows
detection:
  selection_img:
    - Image|endswith: \wmic.exe
    - OriginalFileName: wmic.exe
  selection_cli:
    CommandLine|contains:
      - AntiVirusProduct
      - AntiSpywareProduct
      - FirewallProduct
  condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
  - Legitimate use of wmic.exe for reconnaissance of firewall, antivirus and antispywware products.
level: medium
regression_tests_path: regression_data/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_wmic_recon_product_class/info.yml
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: e568650b-5dcd-4658-8f34-ded0b1e13992
    type: derived

What it detects

This rule flags execution of wmic.exe where the command line queries for specific product classes related to security tooling, including AntiVirusProduct, AntiSpywareProduct, and FirewallProduct. Enumerating installed security products helps an attacker understand existing defenses and potentially select techniques to evade detection or disable protection. The detection relies on Windows process creation telemetry, matching the wmic.exe executable and the presence of those product class terms in the command line.

Known false positives

Legitimate use of wmic.exe for reconnaissance of firewall, antivirus and antispywware products.

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