Setup16.EXE Execution With Custom .Lst File

Hunt Hypothesis

Detects the execution of “Setup16.EXE” and old installation utility with a custom “.lst” file. These “.lst” file can contain references to external program that “Setup16.EXE” will execute. Attackers a

Detection Rule

Sigma (Original)

title: Setup16.EXE Execution With Custom .Lst File
id: 99c8be4f-3087-4f9f-9c24-8c7e257b442e
status: test
description: |
    Detects the execution of "Setup16.EXE" and old installation utility with a custom ".lst" file.
    These ".lst" file can contain references to external program that "Setup16.EXE" will execute.
    Attackers and adversaries might leverage this as a living of the land utility.
references:
    - https://www.hexacorn.com/blog/2024/10/12/the-sweet16-the-oldbin-lolbin-called-setup16-exe/
author: frack113
date: 2024-12-01
tags:
    - attack.privilege-escalation
    - attack.persistence
    - attack.execution
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1574.005
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        ParentImage: 'C:\Windows\SysWOW64\setup16.exe'
        ParentCommandLine|contains: ' -m '
    filter_optional_valid_path:
        Image|startswith: 'C:\~MSSETUP.T\'
    condition: selection and not 1 of filter_optional_*
falsepositives:
    - On modern Windows system, the "Setup16" utility is practically never used, hence false positive should be very rare.
level: medium

KQL (Azure Sentinel)

imProcessCreate
| where ((ParentProcessName =~ "C:\\Windows\\SysWOW64\\setup16.exe" or ActingProcessName =~ "C:\\Windows\\SysWOW64\\setup16.exe") and ActingProcessCommandLine contains " -m ") and (not(TargetProcessName startswith "C:\\~MSSETUP.T\\"))

Required Data Sources

False Positive Guidance

• On modern Windows system, the “Setup16” utility is practically never used, hence false positive should be very rare.

MITRE ATT&CK Context

• Tactic: Privilege Escalation
• Tactic: Persistence
• Tactic: Execution
• Technique: T1574.005 — T1574.005

References

• https://www.hexacorn.com/blog/2024/10/12/the-sweet16-the-oldbin-lolbin-called-setup16-exe/
• SigmaHQ Rule