Windows Service Initiation on Remote Endpoint
The following analytic detects the execution of `sc.exe` with command-line arguments used to start a Windows Service on a remote endpoint. It leverages data from Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) agents, focusing…
Description
The following analytic detects the execution of `sc.exe` with command-line arguments used to start a Windows Service on a remote endpoint. It leverages data from Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) agents, focusing on process names and command-line executions. This activity is significant because adversaries may exploit the Service Control Manager for lateral movement and remote code execution. If confirmed malicious, this could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code on remote systems, potentially leading to further compromise and persistence within the network.
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
- Administrators may start Windows Services on remote systems, but this activity is usually limited to a small set of hosts or users.
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/T1543/003/ | 10 |
| docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/services/controlling-a-service-using-sc | 2 |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- 3f519894-4276-11ec-ab02-3e22fbd008af
- Tagged by the source as
- Active Directory Lateral MovementCISA AA23-347AEndpointendpointSplunk 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