sigmamediumHunting

Always Install Elevated Windows Installer

Detects Windows Installer service (msiexec.exe) trying to install MSI packages with SYSTEM privilege

MITRE ATT&CK

defense-evasionprivilege-escalation

Detection Query

selection_user:
  User|contains:
    - AUTHORI
    - AUTORI
selection_image_1:
  Image|contains|all:
    - \Windows\Installer\
    - msi
  Image|endswith: tmp
selection_image_2:
  Image|endswith: \msiexec.exe
  IntegrityLevel:
    - System
    - S-1-16-16384
filter_installer:
  ParentImage: C:\Windows\System32\services.exe
filter_repair:
  - CommandLine|endswith: \system32\msiexec.exe /V
  - ParentCommandLine|endswith: \system32\msiexec.exe /V
filter_sophos:
  ParentImage|startswith: C:\ProgramData\Sophos\
filter_avira:
  ParentImage|startswith: C:\ProgramData\Avira\
filter_avast:
  ParentImage|startswith:
    - C:\Program Files\Avast Software\
    - C:\Program Files (x86)\Avast Software\
filter_google_update:
  ParentImage|startswith:
    - C:\Program Files\Google\Update\
    - C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Update\
condition: 1 of selection_image_* and selection_user and not 1 of filter_*

Author

Teymur Kheirkhabarov (idea), Mangatas Tondang (rule), oscd.community

Created

2020-10-13

Data Sources

windowsProcess Creation Events

Platforms

windows

References

https://image.slidesharecdn.com/kheirkhabarovoffzonefinal-181117201458/95/hunting-for-privilege-escalation-in-windows-environment-48-638.jpg

Tags

attack.defense-evasionattack.privilege-escalationattack.t1548.002

Raw Content

title: Always Install Elevated Windows Installer
id: cd951fdc-4b2f-47f5-ba99-a33bf61e3770
status: test
description: Detects Windows Installer service (msiexec.exe) trying to install MSI packages with SYSTEM privilege
references:
    - https://image.slidesharecdn.com/kheirkhabarovoffzonefinal-181117201458/95/hunting-for-privilege-escalation-in-windows-environment-48-638.jpg
author: Teymur Kheirkhabarov (idea), Mangatas Tondang (rule), oscd.community
date: 2020-10-13
modified: 2024-12-01
tags:
    - attack.defense-evasion
    - attack.privilege-escalation
    - attack.t1548.002
logsource:
    product: windows
    category: process_creation
detection:
    selection_user:
        User|contains: # covers many language settings
            - 'AUTHORI'
            - 'AUTORI'
    selection_image_1:
        Image|contains|all:
            - '\Windows\Installer\'
            - 'msi'
        Image|endswith: 'tmp'
    selection_image_2:
        Image|endswith: '\msiexec.exe'
        IntegrityLevel:
            - 'System'
            - 'S-1-16-16384'
    filter_installer:
        ParentImage: 'C:\Windows\System32\services.exe'
    filter_repair:
        - CommandLine|endswith: '\system32\msiexec.exe /V' # ignore "repair option"
        - ParentCommandLine|endswith: '\system32\msiexec.exe /V' # ignore "repair option"
    filter_sophos:
        ParentImage|startswith: 'C:\ProgramData\Sophos\'
    filter_avira:
        ParentImage|startswith: 'C:\ProgramData\Avira\'
    filter_avast:
        ParentImage|startswith:
            - 'C:\Program Files\Avast Software\'
            - 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Avast Software\'
    filter_google_update:
        ParentImage|startswith:
            - 'C:\Program Files\Google\Update\'
            - 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Update\'
    condition: 1 of selection_image_* and selection_user and not 1 of filter_*
falsepositives:
    - System administrator usage
    - Anti virus products
    - WindowsApps located in "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\"
level: medium