Local Account Discovery With Wmic
The following analytic detects the execution of `wmic.exe` with command-line arguments used to query local user accounts, specifically the `useraccount` argument. It leverages data from Endpoint Detection and…
Description
The following analytic detects the execution of `wmic.exe` with command-line arguments used to query local user accounts, specifically the `useraccount` argument. It leverages data from Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) agents, focusing on process execution logs that include command-line details. This activity is significant as it indicates potential reconnaissance efforts by adversaries to enumerate local users, which is a common step in situational awareness and Active Directory discovery. If confirmed malicious, this behavior could lead to further targeted attacks, privilege escalation, or lateral movement within the network.
Detection logic
Detection requirements
- Platform
- ESXiLinuxmacOSWindows
The rule states no platform. This is derived from the ATT&CK technique it maps to.
- Log source category
- crowdstrike_processrollup2sysmon_eventid_1windows_event_log_security_4688
Known benign triggers
- Administrators or power users may use this command for troubleshooting.
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 |
|---|---|
| attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1087/001/ | 6 |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- 4902d7aa-0134-11ec-9d65-acde48001122
- Tagged by the source as
- Active Directory DiscoveryScattered Lapsus$ HuntersEndpointendpointSplunk 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
- Aug 26, 2026
- Version
- 1