Potential Proxy Execution Via Explorer.EXE From Shell Process
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About the rule
Rule Type
Standard
Rule Description
Detects the creation of a child "explorer.exe" process from a shell like process such as "cmd.exe" or "powershell.exe". Attackers can use "explorer.exe" for evading defense mechanisms by proxying the execution through the latter. While this is often a legitimate action, this rule can be use to hunt for anomalies. Muddy Waters threat actor was seeing using this technique.
Severity
Attention
Rule Requirement
Criteria
Action1: actionname = "Process started" AND PARENTPROCESSNAME endswith "\cmd.exe,\powershell.exe,\pwsh.exe" AND PROCESSNAME endswith "\explorer.exe" AND COMMANDLINE contains "explorer.exe" select Action1.HOSTNAME,Action1.MESSAGE,Action1.COMMANDLINE,Action1.FILE_NAME,Action1.PROCESSNAME,Action1.USERNAME,Action1.PARENTPROCESSNAME
Detection
Execution Mode
realtime
Log Sources
Windows
Author
Furkan CALISKAN, @caliskanfurkan_, @oscd_initiative
