Msiexec.EXE Initiated Network Connection Over HTTP

SIGMA detection rule by frack113 · NOASSERTION

Detects a network connection initiated by an "Msiexec.exe" process over port 80 or 443. Adversaries might abuse "msiexec.exe" to install and execute remotely hosted packages. Use this rule to hunt for potentially anomalous or suspicious communications.

title: Msiexec.EXE Initiated Network Connection Over HTTP
id: 8e5e38e4-5350-4c0b-895a-e872ce0dd54f
status: test
description: |
    Detects a network connection initiated by an "Msiexec.exe" process over port 80 or 443.
    Adversaries might abuse "msiexec.exe" to install and execute remotely hosted packages.
    Use this rule to hunt for potentially anomalous or suspicious communications.
references:
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/msiexec
    - https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1218.007/T1218.007.md
author: frack113
date: 2022-01-16
modified: 2024-07-16
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1218.007
    - detection.threat-hunting
logsource:
    category: network_connection
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        Initiated: 'true'
        Image|endswith: '\msiexec.exe'
        DestinationPort:
            - 80
            - 443
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Likely
level: low

[[ currentRule.title && currentRule.title.length > 60 ? currentRule.title.slice(0, 60) + '…' : currentRule.title ]]

cb6a910f-eb57-4aad-b5d1-e84044731158

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Executable code, not a declarative rule

This submission is arbitrary [[ currentRule.format ? currentRule.format.toUpperCase() : '' ]] code, not a declarative detection rule — review it as you would any script before running it, and note that it cannot be safely aggregated or auto-executed alongside YARA/Sigma/Suricata/CRS rules.

Rejected pattern present

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Format & documentation suggestions

Not a security issue — this rule is valid and was accepted as-is. These are optional fields/conventions its own format recommends, mainly affecting its quality score and how well it documents itself for other reviewers.

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What do these messages mean?

[[ currentRule.title && currentRule.title.length > 60 ? currentRule.title.slice(0, 60) + '…' : currentRule.title ]]

[[ currentRule.title ]]

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