Explorer.exe

type: OSBinaries

Binary used for managing files and system components within Windows

Full path

C:\Windows\explorer.exe
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\explorer.exe

Commands

ExecuteUser T1202
Performs execution of specified file with explorer parent process breaking the process tree, can be used for defense evasion.
```
explorer.exe /root,"{PATH_ABSOLUTE:.exe}"
```
Execute specified .exe with the parent process spawning from a new instance of explorer.exe
os: Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Windows 11
Execute: EXE
ExecuteUser T1202
Performs execution of specified file with explorer parent process breaking the process tree, can be used for defense evasion.
```
explorer.exe {PATH_ABSOLUTE:.exe}
```
Execute notepad.exe with the parent process spawning from a new instance of explorer.exe
os: Windows 10, Windows 11
Execute: EXE

Detection

Sigma https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/c04bef2fbbe8beff6c7620d5d7ea6872dbe7acba/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_explorer_break_process_tree.yml
Sigma https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/c04bef2fbbe8beff6c7620d5d7ea6872dbe7acba/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_explorer_lolbin_execution.yml
Elastic https://github.com/elastic/detection-rules/blob/f2bc0c685d83db7db395fc3dc4b9729759cd4329/rules/windows/initial_access_via_explorer_suspicious_child_parent_args.toml
IOCMultiple instances of explorer.exe or explorer.exe using the /root command line is suspicious.

Resources

acknowledgement: Jai Minton @CyberRaiju, Jimmy @bohops