Elastic Security Detection Rules

Microsoft Build Engine Using an Alternate Name

Last updated 4 months ago on 2025-08-26
Created 6 years ago on 2020-03-25

About

An instance of MSBuild, the Microsoft Build Engine, was started after being renamed. This is uncommon behavior and may indicate an attempt to run unnoticed or undetected.
Tags
Domain: EndpointOS: WindowsUse Case: Threat DetectionTactic: Defense EvasionTactic: ExecutionData Source: Elastic EndgameData Source: Elastic DefendData Source: SysmonData Source: Microsoft Defender for EndpointData Source: CrowdstrikeLanguage: eql
Severity
low
Risk Score
21
MITRE ATT&CK™

Defense Evasion (TA0005)(external, opens in a new tab or window)

↳ Masquerading (T1036)(external, opens in a new tab or window)

↳ Trusted Developer Utilities Proxy Execution (T1127)(external, opens in a new tab or window)

False Positive Examples
The Build Engine is commonly used by Windows developers but use by non-engineers is unusual.
License
Elastic License v2(external, opens in a new tab or window)

Definition

Rule Type
Event Correlation Rule
Integration Pack
Prebuilt Security Detection Rules
Index Patterns
winlogbeat-*logs-endpoint.events.process-*logs-windows.sysmon_operational-*endgame-*logs-m365_defender.event-*logs-crowdstrike.fdr*
Related Integrations

endpoint(external, opens in a new tab or window)

windows(external, opens in a new tab or window)

m365_defender(external, opens in a new tab or window)

crowdstrike(external, opens in a new tab or window)

Query
text code block:
process where host.os.type == "windows" and event.type == "start" and
  process.pe.original_file_name == "MSBuild.exe" and
  not process.name : "MSBuild.exe"

Install detection rules in Elastic Security

Detect Microsoft Build Engine Using an Alternate Name 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(external, opens in a new tab or window).