Detectionmediumtest

Msxsl.EXE Execution

Detects the execution of the MSXSL utility. This can be used to execute Extensible Stylesheet Language (XSL) files. These files are commonly used to describe the processing and rendering of data within XML files. Adversaries can abuse this functionality to execute arbitrary files while potentially bypassing application whitelisting defenses.

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Launch
Timur Zinniatullin, oscd.communityCreated Mon Oct 21Updated Thu Nov 099e50a8b3-dd05-4eb8-9153-bdb6b79d50b0windows
Log Source
WindowsProcess Creation
ProductWindows← raw: windows
CategoryProcess Creation← raw: process_creation

Events generated when a new process is spawned on the system. Covers command-line arguments, parent/child relationships, and process metadata.

Detection Logic
Detection Logic1 selector
detection:
    selection:
        Image|endswith: '\msxsl.exe'
    condition: selection
False Positives

Msxsl is not installed by default and is deprecated, so unlikely on most systems.

Rule Metadata
Rule ID
9e50a8b3-dd05-4eb8-9153-bdb6b79d50b0
Status
test
Level
medium
Type
Detection
Created
Mon Oct 21
Modified
Thu Nov 09
Path
rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_msxsl_execution.yml
Raw Tags
attack.defense-evasionattack.t1220
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