huntrule

Windows WSL Kali Linux installation via wsl.exe --install -i

Flags wsl.exe commands that install a distribution specified as Kali Linux using --install -i.

FreeReviewedSigma · High · v1
Product
windows
Category
process_creation
Author
Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel (Nextron Systems) (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2025-10-10
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 identifies process executions where wsl.exe is invoked with arguments to install a Linux distribution and the command line includes the term 'kali'. Such activity matters because installing Kali Linux in WSL can provide an attacker with a ready penetration-testing toolset within a Windows environment. The detection relies on Windows process creation telemetry, matching the executable name/path characteristics for wsl.exe and specific command-line substrings (including the install flags and 'kali').

Reporting behind it

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Windows WSL Kali Linux installation via wsl.exe --install -i
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.