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Xwizard.EXE Execution From Non-Default Location

Detects the execution of Xwizard tool from a non-default directory. When executed from a non-default directory, this utility can be abused in order to side load a custom version of "xwizards.dll".

MITRE ATT&CK

T1574.001

privilege-escalationpersistencedefense-evasion

Detection Query

selection:
  - Image|endswith: \xwizard.exe
  - OriginalFileName: xwizard.exe
filter_main_legit_location:
  Image|startswith:
    - C:\Windows\System32\
    - C:\Windows\SysWOW64\
    - C:\Windows\WinSxS\
condition: selection and not 1 of filter_main_*

Author

Christian Burkard (Nextron Systems)

Created

2021-09-20

Data Sources

windowsProcess Creation Events

Platforms

windows

References

Tags

attack.privilege-escalationattack.persistenceattack.defense-evasionattack.t1574.001

Raw Content

title: Xwizard.EXE Execution From Non-Default Location
id: 193d5ccd-6f59-40c6-b5b0-8e32d5ddd3d1
status: test
description: |
    Detects the execution of Xwizard tool from a non-default directory.
    When executed from a non-default directory, this utility can be abused in order to side load a custom version of "xwizards.dll".
references:
    - https://lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/Binaries/Xwizard/
    - http://www.hexacorn.com/blog/2017/07/31/the-wizard-of-x-oppa-plugx-style/
author: Christian Burkard (Nextron Systems)
date: 2021-09-20
modified: 2024-08-15
tags:
    - attack.privilege-escalation
    - attack.persistence
    - attack.defense-evasion
    - attack.t1574.001
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        - Image|endswith: '\xwizard.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'xwizard.exe'
    filter_main_legit_location:
        Image|startswith:
            - 'C:\Windows\System32\'
            - 'C:\Windows\SysWOW64\'
            - 'C:\Windows\WinSxS\'
    condition: selection and not 1 of filter_main_*
falsepositives:
    - Windows installed on non-C drive
level: high