Windows MOF Event Triggered Execution via WMI
The following analytic detects the execution of MOFComp.exe loading a MOF file, often triggered by cmd.exe or powershell.exe, or from unusual paths like User Profile directories. It leverages Endpoint Detection and…
Description
The following analytic detects the execution of MOFComp.exe loading a MOF file, often triggered by cmd.exe or powershell.exe, or from unusual paths like User Profile directories. It leverages Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) data, focusing on process names, parent processes, and command-line executions. This activity is significant as it may indicate an attacker using WMI for persistence or lateral movement. If confirmed malicious, it could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code, maintain persistence, or escalate privileges within the environment.
Detection logic
Detection requirements
- Platform
- Windows
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 from automation based applications (SCCM), filtering may be required. In addition, break the query out based on volume of usage. Filter process names or file paths.
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/T1546/003/ | Only this detection cites it |
| docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/wmisdk/mofcomp | Only this detection cites it |
| github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/388942adbd9641f4dfdcf079d7efe9a75ec0ac43/atomics/T1546.003/T1546.003.yaml#L86 | 3 |
| pentestlab.blog/2020/01/21/persistence-wmi-event-subscription/ | Only this detection cites it |
| thedfirreport.com/2022/07/11/select-xmrig-from-sqlserver/ | 10from 3 sources |
| www.sakshamdixit.com/wmi-events/ | Only this detection cites it |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- e59b5a73-32bf-4467-a585-452c36ae10c1
- Tagged by the source as
- Compromised Windows HostLiving Off The LandEndpointendpointSplunk 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