Windows ConHost with Headless Argument
The following analytic detects the unusual invocation of the Windows Console Host process (conhost.exe) with the undocumented --headless parameter. This detection leverages Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)…
Description
The following analytic detects the unusual invocation of the Windows Console Host process (conhost.exe) with the undocumented --headless parameter. This detection leverages Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) telemetry, specifically monitoring for command-line executions where conhost.exe is executed with the --headless argument. This activity is significant for a SOC as it is not commonly used in legitimate operations and may indicate an attacker's attempt to execute commands stealthily. If confirmed malicious, this behavior could lead to persistence, lateral movement, or other malicious activities, potentially resulting in data exfiltration or system compromise.
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
- False positives may be present if the application is legitimately used, filter by user or endpoint as needed.
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 |
|---|---|
| x.com/GroupIB_TI/status/1719675754886131959?s=20 | Only this detection cites it |
| x.com/embee_research/status/1559410767564181504?s=20 | Only this detection cites it |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- d5039508-998d-4cfc-8b5e-9dcd679d9a62
- Tagged by the source as
- Compromised Windows HostSpearphishing AttachmentsEndpointendpointSplunk 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