Impacket Lateral Movement WMIExec Commandline Parameters
The following analytic detects the use of Impacket's `wmiexec.py` tool for lateral movement by identifying specific command-line parameters. It leverages data from Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) agents,…
Description
The following analytic detects the use of Impacket's `wmiexec.py` tool for lateral movement by identifying specific command-line parameters. It leverages data from Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) agents, focusing on processes spawned by `wmiprvse.exe` with command-line patterns indicative of Impacket usage. This activity is significant as Impacket tools are commonly used by adversaries for remote code execution and lateral movement within a network. If confirmed malicious, this could allow attackers to execute arbitrary commands on remote systems, potentially leading to further compromise and data exfiltration.
Detection logic
Detection requirements
- Platform
- Windows
The rule states no platform. This is derived from the 3 ATT&CK techniques it maps to.
- Log source category
- crowdstrike_processrollup2sysmon_eventid_1windows_event_log_security_4688
Known benign triggers
- Although uncommon, Administrators may leverage Impackets tools to start a process on remote systems for system administration or automation use cases.
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
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- d6e464e4-5c6a-474e-82d2-aed616a3a492
- Tagged by the source as
- Active Directory Lateral MovementCISA AA22-277ACompromised Windows HostData DestructionGozi MalwareGraceful Wipe Out AttackIndustroyer2Prestige RansomwareStorm-0501 RansomwareVolt TyphoonWhisperGateEndpointendpointSplunk CloudSplunk EnterpriseSplunk Enterprise Securityendpoint
Licence
- Published under
- Apache License 2.0Read the licence
- Attribution
- Required
- Obtained under
- Apache-2.0Read the origin licence
Authorship
- Written by
- Published
- Oct 13, 2026
- Version
- 2