Windows MSIExec DLLRegisterServer
The following analytic detects the execution of msiexec.exe with the /y switch parameter, which enables the loading of DLLRegisterServer. This detection leverages data from Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)…
Description
The following analytic detects the execution of msiexec.exe with the /y switch parameter, which enables the loading of DLLRegisterServer. This detection leverages data from Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) agents, focusing on process command-line arguments and parent-child process relationships. This activity is significant because it can indicate an attempt to register malicious DLLs, potentially leading to code execution or persistence on the system. If confirmed malicious, this could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code, escalate privileges, or maintain persistence 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
- This analytic will need to be tuned for your environment based on legitimate usage of msiexec.exe. Filter 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 |
|---|---|
| github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/388942adbd9641f4dfdcf079d7efe9a75ec0ac43/atomics/T1218.007/T1218.007.yaml#L253 | 4 |
| github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/master/atomics/T1218.007/T1218.007.md | 5 |
| thedfirreport.com/2022/06/06/will-the-real-msiexec-please-stand-up-exploit-leads-to-data-exfiltration/ | 8from 2 sources |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- fdb59aef-d88f-4909-8369-ec2afbd2c398
- Tagged by the source as
- Water GamayunWindows System Binary Proxy Execution MSIExecEndpointendpointSplunk 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