PowerShell MSI Install via WindowsInstaller COM From Remote Location
Detects the execution of PowerShell commands that attempt to install MSI packages via the Windows Installer COM object (`WindowsInstaller.Installer`) hosted remotely. This could be indication of malicious software…
Description
Detects the execution of PowerShell commands that attempt to install MSI packages via the Windows Installer COM object (`WindowsInstaller.Installer`) hosted remotely. This could be indication of malicious software deployment or lateral movement attempts using Windows Installer functionality. And the usage of WindowsInstaller COM object rather than msiexec could be an attempt to bypass the detection.
Detection logic
Detection requirements
- Platform
- ESXiLinuxmacOSNetwork DevicesWindows
The rule states no platform. This is derived from the 3 ATT&CK techniques it maps to.
- Log source product
- windows
- Log source category
- process_creation
Known benign triggers
- Unknown
MITRE ATT&CK mappings
0 exclusive techniques.This is coverage no other published rule has; it is not this rule's total technique count.
References
| Reference | Cited by |
|---|---|
| informationsecuritybuzz.com/the-real-danger-behind-a-simple-windows-shortcut/ | 2 |
| redcanary.com/blog/threat-intelligence/intelligence-insights-may-2025/ | 2 |
| www.virustotal.com/gui/file/f9710b0ba4de5fa0e7ec27da462d4d2fc6838eba83a19f23f6617a466bbad457 | 2 |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- 222720a7-047f-4054-baa5-bab9be757db0
- Tagged by the source as
- attack.command-and-controlattack.executionattack.stealth
Licence
- Published under
- Detection Rule License 1.1Read the licence
- Attribution
- Required
Authorship
- Written by
- Published
- Aug 26, 2026
- Version
- 1