> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/analytics-alerts/alerts-by-name/msiexec-execution-of-an-executable-from-an-uncommon-remote-location.md).

# Msiexec execution of an executable from an uncommon remote location

### Synopsis

| Field                | Value                                              |
| -------------------- | -------------------------------------------------- |
| Activation Period    | 14 Days                                            |
| Training Period      | 30 Days                                            |
| Test Period          | N/A (single event)                                 |
| Deduplication Period | 7 Days                                             |
| Required Data        | XDR Agent                                          |
| Detector Tags        | LOLBIN Execution Analytics                         |
| ATT\&CK Tactic       | Defense Evasion (TA0005)                           |
| ATT\&CK Technique    | System Binary Proxy Execution: Msiexec (T1218.007) |
| Severity             | Informational                                      |

### Description

Msiexec is the command-line utility for the Windows Installer. Adversaries may abuse msiexec.exe to proxy execution of malicious payloads from remote locations.

### Attacker's Goals

Evading security controls and executing arbitrary files from the web.

### Investigative actions

Monitor the command-line arguments of msiexec.exe, For example, the command line - msiexec /i <http://some\\_domain.com/www/executable.msi> can be legitimate or malicious. Validate the following criteria, if none of them are correct, follow incident response procedures:

* Check execution of msiexec and the IP/Domain that used.
* Is the URL that is encoded in the command line trusted.
* Is executed DLL or MSI file known as legitimate.
* Is the initiating process legitimate and the user running it knows of its use.

### Variations

<details>

<summary>Msiexec execution of an executable from an uncommon remote location with a specific port</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                              |
| ----------------- | -------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Defense Evasion (TA0005)                           |
| ATT\&CK Technique | System Binary Proxy Execution: Msiexec (T1218.007) |
| Severity          | High                                               |

**Description**

Msiexec is the command-line utility for the Windows Installer. Adversaries may abuse msiexec.exe to proxy execution of malicious payloads from remote locations.

**Attacker's Goals**

Evading security controls and executing arbitrary files from the web.

**Investigative actions**

Monitor the command-line arguments of msiexec.exe, For example, the command line - msiexec /i <http://some\\_domain.com/www/executable.msi> can be legitimate or malicious. Validate the following criteria, if none of them are correct, follow incident response procedures:

* Check execution of msiexec and the IP/Domain that used.
* Is the URL that is encoded in the command line trusted.
* Is executed DLL or MSI file known as legitimate.
* Is the initiating process legitimate and the user running it knows of its use.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Msiexec execution of an executable from an uncommon remote location without properties</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                              |
| ----------------- | -------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Defense Evasion (TA0005)                           |
| ATT\&CK Technique | System Binary Proxy Execution: Msiexec (T1218.007) |
| Severity          | Medium                                             |

**Description**

Msiexec is the command-line utility for the Windows Installer. Adversaries may abuse msiexec.exe to proxy execution of malicious payloads from remote locations. Execution without properties is more common in malware.

**Attacker's Goals**

Evading security controls and executing arbitrary files from the web.

**Investigative actions**

Monitor the command-line arguments of msiexec.exe, For example, the command line - msiexec /i <http://some\\_domain.com/www/executable.msi> can be legitimate or malicious. Validate the following criteria, if none of them are correct, follow incident response procedures:

* Check execution of msiexec and the IP/Domain that used.
* Is the URL that is encoded in the command line trusted.
* Is executed DLL or MSI file known as legitimate.
* Is the initiating process legitimate and the user running it knows of its use.

</details>


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