Windows InstallUtil in Non Standard Path
The following analytic detects the execution of InstallUtil.exe from non-standard paths. It leverages Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) data, focusing on process names and original file names outside typical…
Description
The following analytic detects the execution of InstallUtil.exe from non-standard paths. It leverages Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) data, focusing on process names and original file names outside typical directories. This activity is significant because InstallUtil.exe is often used by attackers to execute malicious code or scripts. If confirmed malicious, this behavior could allow an attacker to bypass security controls, execute arbitrary code, and potentially gain unauthorized access or persist within the environment.
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
- False positives may be present and filtering may be required. Certain utilities will run from non-standard paths based on the third-party application in use.
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/T1036/003/ | 8 |
| github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/388942adbd9641f4dfdcf079d7efe9a75ec0ac43/atomics/T1218.004/T1218.004.yaml#L460 | 2 |
| github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/master/atomics/T1036.003/T1036.003.yaml | 3 |
| github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/master/atomics/T1218.004/T1218.004.md | 5 |
| www.microsoft.com/security/blog/2022/01/15/destructive-malware-targeting-ukrainian-organizations/ | 27from 2 sources |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- dcf74b22-7933-11ec-857c-acde48001122
- Tagged by the source as
- Data DestructionLiving Off The LandMasquerading - Rename System UtilitiesRansomwareSigned Binary Proxy Execution InstallUtilUnusual ProcessesWhisperGateEndpointendpointSplunk 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