Windows: WMIC service ChangeStartMode sets Manual or Disabled startup type

title: "Windows: WMIC service ChangeStartMode sets Manual or Disabled startup type"
id: a23c4f65-1049-473d-8017-ae716b4f8c4b
status: experimental
description: This rule flags Windows process executions of wmic.exe where the command includes service ChangeStartMode and sets the startup type to either Manual or Disabled. Attackers and legitimate admins can use startup type changes to impair defenses or persist with reduced visibility, so startup-type tampering is an important indicator. The detection relies on process creation telemetry, matching the WMIC executable and the specific command-line parameters indicating the startup mode change.
references:
  - https://blog.talosintelligence.com/uncovering-qilin-attack-methods-exposed-through-multiple-cases/
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_wmic_service_startup_change.yml
author: Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel (Nextron Systems), Huntrule Team
date: 2026-04-27
tags:
  - attack.execution
  - attack.defense-impairment
  - attack.t1047
  - attack.t1685
logsource:
  category: process_creation
  product: windows
detection:
  selection_img:
    - Image|endswith: \WMIC.exe
    - OriginalFileName: wmic.exe
  selection_cli:
    CommandLine|contains|all:
      - " service "
      - ChangeStartMode
    CommandLine|contains:
      - Manual
      - Disabled
  condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
  - Legitimate administrative changes to service startup types using WMIC, investigate accordingly.
level: medium
regression_tests_path: regression_data/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_wmic_service_startup_change/info.yml
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: c0514f28-fdae-42df-b886-06e2b2bc5b37
    type: derived