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Detectionmediumtest

AppX Package Installation Attempts Via AppInstaller.EXE

Detects DNS queries made by "AppInstaller.EXE". The AppInstaller is the default handler for the "ms-appinstaller" URI. It attempts to load/install a package from the referenced URL

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Launch
François HubautCreated Wed Nov 24Updated Thu Nov 097cff77e1-9663-46a3-8260-17f2e1aa9d0awindows
Log Source
WindowsDNS Query
ProductWindows← raw: windows
CategoryDNS Query← raw: dns_query

DNS lookup events generated by endpoint monitoring tools.

Detection Logic
Detection Logic1 selector
detection:
    selection:
        Image|startswith: 'C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.DesktopAppInstaller_'
        Image|endswith: '\AppInstaller.exe'
    condition: selection
False Positives
Unknown

False positive likelihood has not been assessed. Additional context may be needed during triage.

References
1
Resolving title…
twitter.com
2
Resolving title…
lolbas-project.github.io
MITRE ATT&CK
Related Rules
DerivedDetectionmedium

Potential File Download Via MS-AppInstaller Protocol Handler

Detects usage of the "ms-appinstaller" protocol handler via command line to potentially download arbitrary files via AppInstaller.EXE The downloaded files are temporarly stored in ":\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.DesktopAppInstaller_8wekyb3d8bbwe\AC\INetCache\<RANDOM-8-CHAR-DIRECTORY>"

This rule was derived from the related rule - both detect similar activity with different scope.

Rule Metadata
Rule ID
7cff77e1-9663-46a3-8260-17f2e1aa9d0a
Status
test
Level
medium
Type
Detection
Created
Wed Nov 24
Modified
Thu Nov 09
Author
François Hubaut
Path
rules/windows/dns_query/dns_query_win_appinstaller.yml
Raw Tags
attack.command-and-controlattack.t1105
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