Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) attacks are a stealthy and powerful technique used by cyber threat actors to execute malicious actions on Windows systems. WMI is a built-in Windows feature designed for system management, but its flexibility and deep integration make it a prime target for abuse.

🧠 What Is WMI?

WMI provides a standardized interface for accessing and managing Windows system components. It allows administrators—and attackers—to:

• Execute commands
• Query system information
• Manage services and processes
• Interact with remote systems

🚨 How Attackers Use WMI

Attackers exploit WMI in several phases of the attack lifecycle:

1. Execution

• Run commands or scripts locally or remotely without dropping files.
• Example:

  Invoke-WmiMethod -Class Win32_Process -Name Create -ArgumentList "notepad.exe"
  

2. Persistence

• Create WMI event subscriptions that trigger malicious code on system events.
• These are often fileless and run as SYSTEM.

3. Lateral Movement

• Use WMI to execute commands on remote machines.
• Example:

  wmic /node:"target" process call create "cmd.exe /c whoami"
  

4. Reconnaissance

• Gather system details, user accounts, AV products, and more.
• Example:

  Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_ComputerSystem
  

5. Defense Evasion

• Operate without writing files to disk, making detection harder.
• Blend in with legitimate administrative activity.

🕵️‍♂️ Real-World Examples

• APT29 used WMI for credential theft and remote execution.
• APT41 leveraged WMI for persistence and command execution.
• Akira ransomware used WMI to evade detection via COM objects.

🛡️ How to Defend Against WMI Attacks

• Monitor WMI activity: Use tools like Sysmon or Windows Event Logs.
• Restrict remote WMI access: Limit who can use WMI remotely.
• Audit WMI subscriptions: Look for suspicious permanent event consumers.
• Use endpoint detection and response (EDR): Detect fileless behaviors.

For a deeper dive, check out MITRE ATT&CK’s WMI technique page or Cyber Triage’s forensic guide.