Elastic Security Detection Rules

Unusual Windows Path Activity

Last updated 2 months ago on 2025-03-20
Created 5 years ago on 2020-03-25

About

Identifies processes started from atypical folders in the file system, which might indicate malware execution or persistence mechanisms. In corporate Windows environments, software installation is centrally managed and it is unusual for programs to be executed from user or temporary directories. Processes executed from these locations can denote that a user downloaded software directly from the Internet or a malicious script or macro executed malware.
Tags
Domain: EndpointOS: WindowsUse Case: Threat DetectionRule Type: MLRule Type: Machine LearningTactic: PersistenceTactic: Execution
Severity
low
Risk Score
21
MITRE ATT&CK™

Persistence (TA0003)(opens in a new tab or window)

↳ Create or Modify System Process (T1543)(opens in a new tab or window)

Execution (TA0002)(opens in a new tab or window)

↳ User Execution (T1204)(opens in a new tab or window)

False Positive Examples
A new and unusual program or artifact download in the course of software upgrades, debugging, or troubleshooting could trigger this alert. Users downloading and running programs from unusual locations, such as temporary directories, browser caches, or profile paths could trigger this alert.
License
Elastic License v2(opens in a new tab or window)

Definition

Rule Type
Machine Learning
Integration Pack
Prebuilt Security Detection Rules
Related Integrations

endpoint(opens in a new tab or window)

windows(opens in a new tab or window)

Query

Install detection rules in Elastic Security

Detect Unusual Windows Path Activity in the Elastic Security detection engine by installing this rule into your Elastic Stack.

To setup this rule, check out the installation guide for Prebuilt Security Detection Rules(opens in a new tab or window).