---
title: Service Path Modification via sc.exe
description: Identifies attempts to modify a service path setting using sc.exe. Attackers may attempt to modify existing services for persistence or privilege escalation...
url: https://www.elastic.co/docs/reference/security/prebuilt-rules/rules_building_block/defense_evasion_services_exe_path
products:
  - Elastic Security
---

# Service Path Modification via sc.exe
Identifies attempts to modify a service path setting using sc.exe. Attackers may attempt to modify existing services for
persistence or privilege escalation.
**Rule type**: eql
**Rule indices**:
- endgame-*
- logs-endpoint.events.process-*
- logs-system.security*
- logs-windows.sysmon_operational-*
- winlogbeat-*

**Rule Severity**: low
**Risk Score**: 21
**Runs every**: 60m
**Searches indices from**: `now-119m`
**Maximum alerts per execution**: 100
**References**:
**Tags**:
- Domain: Endpoint
- OS: Windows
- Use Case: Threat Detection
- Tactic: Defense Evasion
- Data Source: Elastic Endgame
- Data Source: Elastic Defend
- Rule Type: BBR
- Data Source: Sysmon
- Data Source: Windows Security Event Logs
- Rule Type: Event Correlation (EQL)
- Platform: Windows

**Version**: 110
**Rule authors**:
- Elastic

**Rule license**: Elastic License v2

## Rule Query

```eql
process where event.type == "start" and process.name : "sc.exe" and
  process.args : "*config*" and process.args : "*binPath*"
```

**Framework:** MITRE ATT&CK
- Tactic:
  - Name: Defense Evasion
  - Id: TA0005
  - Reference URL: [[https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0005/](https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0005/)](https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0005/)
- Technique:
  - Name: Modify Registry
  - Id: T1112
  - Reference URL: [[https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1112/](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1112/)](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1112/)

**Framework:** MITRE ATT&CK
- Tactic:
  - Name: Persistence
  - Id: TA0003
  - Reference URL: [[https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0003/](https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0003/)](https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0003/)
- Technique:
  - Name: Create or Modify System Process
  - Id: T1543
  - Reference URL: [[https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1543/](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1543/)](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1543/)
- Sub Technique:
  - Name: Windows Service
  - Id: T1543.003
  - Reference URL: [[https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1543/003/](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1543/003/)](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1543/003/)

**Framework:** MITRE ATT&CK
- Tactic:
  - Name: Privilege Escalation
  - Id: TA0004
  - Reference URL: [[https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0004/](https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0004/)](https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0004/)
- Technique:
  - Name: Create or Modify System Process
  - Id: T1543
  - Reference URL: [[https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1543/](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1543/)](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1543/)
- Sub Technique:
  - Name: Windows Service
  - Id: T1543.003
  - Reference URL: [[https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1543/003/](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1543/003/)](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1543/003/)