InstallUtil Activity

InstallUtil is a command-line utility that allows for installation and uninstallation of resources by executing specific installer components specified in .NET binaries. Adversaries may use InstallUtil to proxy the execution of code through a trusted Windows utility.

Rule type: eql
Rule indices:

• endgame-*
• logs-endpoint.events.process-*
• logs-system.security*
• logs-windows.*
• winlogbeat-*

Rule Severity: low
Risk Score: 21
Runs every: 60m
Searches indices from: now-119m
Maximum alerts per execution: ?
References:

Tags:

• Domain: Endpoint
• OS: Windows
• Use Case: Threat Detection
• Tactic: Defense Evasion
• Data Source: Elastic Defend
• Rule Type: BBR
• Data Source: Elastic Endgame
• Data Source: Windows Security Event Logs

Version: ?
Rule authors:

• Elastic

Rule license: Elastic License v2

process where host.os.type == "windows" and event.type == "start" and
  process.name : "installutil.exe" and not user.id : "S-1-5-18"

Framework: MITRE ATT&CK

• Tactic:

  • Name: Defense Evasion
  • Id: TA0005
  • Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0005/

• Technique:

  • Name: System Binary Proxy Execution
  • Id: T1218
  • Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1218/

• Sub Technique:

  • Name: InstallUtil
  • Id: T1218.004
  • Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1218/004/