Detectionhightest
Mstsc.EXE Execution From Uncommon Parent
Detects potential RDP connection via Mstsc using a local ".rdp" file located in suspicious locations.
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Launch
Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)Created Tue Apr 18ff3b6b39-e765-42f9-bb2c-ea6761e0e0f6windows
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 Logic2 selectors
detection:
selection_parent:
ParentImage|endswith:
# Covers potential downloads/clicks from browsers
- '\brave.exe'
- '\CCleanerBrowser.exe'
- '\chrome.exe'
- '\chromium.exe'
- '\firefox.exe'
- '\iexplore.exe'
- '\microsoftedge.exe'
- '\msedge.exe'
- '\opera.exe'
- '\vivaldi.exe'
- '\whale.exe'
# Covers potential downloads/clicks from email clients
- '\outlook.exe'
selection_img:
- Image|endswith: '\mstsc.exe'
- OriginalFileName: 'mstsc.exe'
condition: all of selection_*False Positives
Unlikely
False positives are unlikely for most environments. High confidence detection.
MITRE ATT&CK
Tactics
Rule Metadata
Rule ID
ff3b6b39-e765-42f9-bb2c-ea6761e0e0f6
Status
test
Level
high
Type
Detection
Created
Tue Apr 18
Path
rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_mstsc_run_local_rpd_file_susp_parent.yml
Raw Tags
attack.lateral-movement