Unusual Process Execution on WBEM Path

ELASTIC detection rule by Elastic · Elastic License v2

Identifies unusual processes running from the WBEM path, uncommon outside WMI-related Windows processes.

[metadata]
creation_date = "2023/08/23"
integration = ["endpoint", "windows", "system"]
maturity = "production"
updated_date = "2026/03/24"

[rule]
author = ["Elastic"]
building_block_type = "default"
description = "Identifies unusual processes running from the WBEM path, uncommon outside WMI-related Windows processes.\n"
from = "now-119m"
index = [
    "endgame-*",
    "logs-endpoint.events.process-*",
    "logs-system.security*",
    "logs-windows.*",
    "winlogbeat-*",
]
interval = "60m"
language = "eql"
license = "Elastic License v2"
name = "Unusual Process Execution on WBEM Path"
risk_score = 21
rule_id = "1f460f12-a3cf-4105-9ebb-f788cc63f365"
severity = "low"
tags = [
    "Domain: Endpoint",
    "OS: Windows",
    "Use Case: Threat Detection",
    "Tactic: Defense Evasion",
    "Data Source: Elastic Defend",
    "Rule Type: BBR",
    "Data Source: Elastic Endgame",
    "Data Source: Windows Security Event Logs",
]
timestamp_override = "event.ingested"
type = "eql"

query = '''
process where host.os.type == "windows" and event.type == "start" and
  process.executable : ("?:\\Windows\\System32\\wbem\\*", "?:\\Windows\\SysWow64\\wbem\\*") and
  not process.name : (
    "mofcomp.exe",
    "scrcons.exe",
    "unsecapp.exe",
    "wbemtest.exe",
    "winmgmt.exe",
    "wmiadap.exe",
    "wmiapsrv.exe",
    "wmic.exe",
    "wmiprvse.exe"
  )
'''


[[rule.threat]]
framework = "MITRE ATT&CK"

[[rule.threat.technique]]
id = "T1036"
name = "Masquerading"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1036/"

[[rule.threat.technique.subtechnique]]
id = "T1036.005"
name = "Match Legitimate Resource Name or Location"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1036/005/"

[rule.threat.tactic]
id = "TA0005"
name = "Defense Evasion"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0005/"

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

6ce9cb3c-7afc-4025-aebf-b70f2e0f1a87

Propose edits, view related rules, and engage with the community through comments.

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

[[ reason ]]

What does this mean?

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.

[[ reason ]]

What do these messages mean?

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

[[ currentRule.title ]]

Community Discussion