Windows InstallUtil URL in Command Line
The following analytic detects the use of Windows InstallUtil.exe with an HTTP or HTTPS URL in the command line. This is identified through Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) telemetry, focusing on command-line…
Description
The following analytic detects the use of Windows InstallUtil.exe with an HTTP or HTTPS URL in the command line. This is identified through Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) telemetry, focusing on command-line executions containing URLs. This activity is significant as it may indicate an attempt to download and execute malicious code, potentially bypassing application control mechanisms. If confirmed malicious, this could lead to unauthorized code execution, privilege escalation, or persistent access within the environment. Analysts should review the parent process, network connections, file modifications, and related processes for further investigation.
Detection logic
Detection requirements
- Platform
- Windows
The rule states no platform. This is derived from the ATT&CK technique it maps to.
Known benign triggers
- Limited false positives should be present as InstallUtil is not typically used to download remote files. Filter as needed based on Developers requirements.
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 |
|---|---|
| gist.github.com/DanielRTeixeira/0fd06ec8f041f34a32bf5623c6dd479d | Only this detection cites it |
| github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/master/atomics/T1218.004/T1218.004.md | 5 |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- 28e06670-43df-11ec-a569-acde48001122
- Tagged by the source as
- Cisco Network Visibility Module AnalyticsCompromised Windows HostLiving Off The LandSigned Binary Proxy Execution InstallUtilEndpointendpointSplunk 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