> 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/windows-installer-exploitation-for-local-privilege-escalation.md).

# Windows Installer exploitation for local privilege escalation

### Synopsis

| Field                | Value                                         |
| -------------------- | --------------------------------------------- |
| Activation Period    | 14 Days                                       |
| Training Period      | 30 Days                                       |
| Test Period          | N/A (single event)                            |
| Deduplication Period | 1 Day                                         |
| Required Data        | XDR Agent                                     |
| ATT\&CK Tactic       | Privilege Escalation (TA0004)                 |
| ATT\&CK Technique    | Exploitation for Privilege Escalation (T1068) |
| Severity             | Medium                                        |

### Description

The Windows installer (msiexec.exe) was likely exploited to run a malicious rollback script (.rbs file) instead of the original. Users should not be able to modify config.msi during the installation process, only SYSTEM should have access to it.

### Attacker's Goals

An attacker is attempting to gain SYSTEM privileges.

### Investigative actions

* Investigate the actor process SID and path and whether it's benign or normal for this host.
* This action is not common, but allowed on Windows versions older than Windows 8. On those systems, check the file reputation for both the CGO and OS actor executables that ran the installation.


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/analytics-alerts/alerts-by-name/windows-installer-exploitation-for-local-privilege-escalation.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.