Elastic Security Detection Rules

Unusual Executable File Creation by a System Critical Process

Last updated 5 months ago on 2025-03-20
Created 5 years ago on 2020-08-19

About

Identifies an unexpected executable file being created or modified by a Windows system critical process, which may indicate activity related to remote code execution or other forms of exploitation.
Tags
Domain: EndpointOS: WindowsUse Case: Threat DetectionTactic: Defense EvasionTactic: ExecutionData Source: Elastic EndgameData Source: Elastic DefendData Source: SysmonData Source: Microsoft Defender for EndpointData Source: SentinelOneLanguage: eql
Severity
high
Risk Score
73
MITRE ATT&CK™

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

↳ Exploitation for Defense Evasion (T1211)(opens in a new tab or window)

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

↳ Exploitation for Client Execution (T1203)(opens in a new tab or window)

License
Elastic License v2(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.file-*logs-windows.sysmon_operational-*endgame-*logs-m365_defender.event-*logs-sentinel_one_cloud_funnel.*
Related Integrations

endpoint(opens in a new tab or window)

windows(opens in a new tab or window)

m365_defender(opens in a new tab or window)

sentinel_one_cloud_funnel(opens in a new tab or window)

Query
file where host.os.type == "windows" and event.type != "deletion" and
  file.extension : ("exe", "dll") and
  process.name : ("smss.exe",
                  "autochk.exe",
                  "csrss.exe",
                  "wininit.exe",
                  "services.exe",
                  "lsass.exe",
                  "winlogon.exe",
                  "userinit.exe",
                  "LogonUI.exe")

Install detection rules in Elastic Security

Detect Unusual Executable File Creation by a System Critical Process 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).