WMI Recon Running Process Or Services
The following analytic identifies suspicious PowerShell script execution via EventCode 4104, where WMI performs an event query to list running processes or services. This detection leverages PowerShell Script Block…
Description
The following analytic identifies suspicious PowerShell script execution via EventCode 4104, where WMI performs an event query to list running processes or services. This detection leverages PowerShell Script Block Logging to capture and analyze script block text for specific WMI queries. This activity is significant as it is commonly used by malware and APT actors to map security applications or services on a compromised machine. If confirmed malicious, this could allow attackers to identify and potentially disable security defenses, facilitating further compromise and persistence within the environment.
Detection logic
Detection requirements
- Platform
- PRE
The rule states no platform. This is derived from the ATT&CK technique it maps to.
- Log source category
- powershell_script_block_logging_4104
Known benign triggers
- Network administrator may used this command for checking purposes
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/trustedsec/SysmonCommunityGuide/blob/master/chapters/WMI-events.md | 3 |
| in.security/2019/04/03/an-intro-into-abusing-and-identifying-wmi-event-subscriptions-for-persistence/ | 3 |
| news.sophos.com/en-us/2020/05/12/maze-ransomware-1-year-counting/ | 3 |
| www.eideon.com/2018-03-02-THL03-WMIBackdoors/ | 8from 2 sources |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- b5cd5526-cce7-11eb-b3bd-acde48001122
- Tagged by the source as
- Data DestructionHermetic WiperMalicious PowerShellEndpointendpointSplunk 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