Suspicious msbuild path
The following analytic detects the execution of msbuild.exe from a non-standard path. It leverages data from Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) agents, focusing on process execution logs that deviate from typical…
Description
The following analytic detects the execution of msbuild.exe from a non-standard path. It leverages data from Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) agents, focusing on process execution logs that deviate from typical msbuild.exe locations. This activity is significant because msbuild.exe is commonly abused by attackers to execute malicious code, and running it from an unusual path can indicate an attempt to evade detection. If confirmed malicious, this behavior could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code, potentially leading to system compromise and further malicious activities.
Detection logic
Detection requirements
- Platform
- LinuxmacOSWindows
The rule states no platform. This is derived from the 2 ATT&CK techniques it maps to.
- Log source category
- crowdstrike_processrollup2sysmon_eventid_1windows_event_log_security_4688
Known benign triggers
- Some legitimate applications may use a moved copy of msbuild.exe, triggering a false positive. Baselining of MSBuild.exe usage is recommended to better understand it's path usage. Visual Studio runs an instance out of a path that will need to be filtered on.
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 |
|---|---|
| github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/master/atomics/T1127.001/T1127.001.md | 3 |
| lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/Binaries/Msbuild/ | 5from 2 sources |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- f5198224-551c-11eb-ae93-0242ac130002
- Tagged by the source as
- BlackByte RansomwareCobalt StrikeGraceful Wipe Out AttackLiving Off The LandMasquerading - Rename System UtilitiesStorm-2460 CLFS Zero Day ExploitationTrusted Developer Utilities Proxy Execution MSBuildEndpointendpointSplunk 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