Xwizard.EXE Execution From Non-Default Location — Sigma Rule

Rule metadata and linked tags

Author: Christian Burkard (Nextron Systems). Source status: test; severity: high. Source dates: 2021-09-20 / 2024-08-15.

{
  "category": "process_creation",
  "product": "windows"
}

Pinned original Sigma rule · Detection Rule License 1.1

Source SHA-256: 76b1f26a5033aa03d9c1130ce14b20d4582b11464d8938fbcafc402531d23fd0

Detection logic

Original source YAML. Source-tag agreement is not proof of complete semantic coverage. This rule has not been compiled for a SIEM backend or validated against live telemetry here.

title: Xwizard.EXE Execution From Non-Default Location
id: 193d5ccd-6f59-40c6-b5b0-8e32d5ddd3d1
status: test
description: |
    Detects the execution of Xwizard tool from a non-default directory.
    When executed from a non-default directory, this utility can be abused in order to side load a custom version of "xwizards.dll".
references:
    - https://lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/Binaries/Xwizard/
    - http://www.hexacorn.com/blog/2017/07/31/the-wizard-of-x-oppa-plugx-style/
author: Christian Burkard (Nextron Systems)
date: 2021-09-20
modified: 2024-08-15
tags:
    - attack.privilege-escalation
    - attack.persistence
    - attack.execution
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1574.001
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        - Image|endswith: '\xwizard.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'xwizard.exe'
    filter_main_legit_location:
        Image|startswith:
            - 'C:\Windows\System32\'
            - 'C:\Windows\SysWOW64\'
            - 'C:\Windows\WinSxS\'
    condition: selection and not 1 of filter_main_*
falsepositives:
    - Windows installed on non-C drive
level: high

Original YAML and metadata in JSON

False positives

• Windows installed on non-C drive

Source references

• https://lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/Binaries/Xwizard/
• http://www.hexacorn.com/blog/2017/07/31/the-wizard-of-x-oppa-plugx-style/