Windows PsTools Recon Usage
The following analytic identifies execution of Sysinternals PsTools and Sysinternals Suit binaries that are commonly used for reconnaissance and information gathering on Windows endpoints. PsTools (PsExec, PsFile,…
Description
The following analytic identifies execution of Sysinternals PsTools and Sysinternals Suit binaries that are commonly used for reconnaissance and information gathering on Windows endpoints. PsTools (PsExec, PsFile, PsGetSid, PsInfo, PsPing, etc.) or Sysinternals Suit tools, are frequently used by administrators for legitimate maintenance but are also leveraged by threat actors to collect system, account, network and service information during discovery and lateral movement. This detection focuses on process execution and PE metadata telemetry (OriginalFileName). If confirmed malicious, this activity can indicate targeted reconnaissance and foothold escalation, enabling subsequent lateral movement or credential abuse.
Detection logic
Detection requirements
- Platform
- ContainersESXiIaaSLinuxmacOSNetwork DevicesWindows
The rule states no platform. This is derived from the 3 ATT&CK techniques it maps to.
- Log source category
- crowdstrike_processrollup2sysmon_eventid_1windows_event_log_security_4688
Known benign triggers
- Legitimate administrators commonly use PsTools for troubleshooting and management. False positives are likely in environments where PsTools are an approved operational toolset, or where automated management systems invoke them. Tune by whitelisting approved management hosts, service accounts, and scheduled maintenance windows.
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/CyberMonitor/APT_CyberCriminal_Campagin_Collections/raw/master/2015/2015.09.17.Operation_Iron_Tiger/wp-operation-iron-tiger.pdf | Only this detection cites it |
| go.crowdstrike.com/rs/281-OBQ-266/images/Report2018OverwatchReport.pdf | Only this detection cites it |
| learn.microsoft.com/sysinternals/downloads/pstools | Only this detection cites it |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- 9a5f4b3e-1d2b-4c6f-9a8e-3b7d2f5c1a6e
- Tagged by the source as
- Compromised Windows HostEndpointendpointSplunk 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