sigmaDRL-1.1from SigmaHQ/sigma

HackTool - Windows Credential Editor (WCE) Execution

Detects the use of Windows Credential Editor (WCE), a popular post-exploitation tool used to extract plaintext passwords, hash, PIN code and Kerberos tickets from memory. It is often used by threat actors for credential dumping and lateral movement within compromised networks.

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ATT&CK techniques

T1003.001

Rule sourcerules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_hktl_wce.yml

title: HackTool - Windows Credential Editor (WCE) Execution
id: 7aa7009a-28b9-4344-8c1f-159489a390df
status: test
description: |
    Detects the use of Windows Credential Editor (WCE), a popular post-exploitation tool used to extract plaintext passwords, hash, PIN code and Kerberos tickets from memory.
    It is often used by threat actors for credential dumping and lateral movement within compromised networks.
references:
    - https://www.ampliasecurity.com/research/windows-credentials-editor/
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems)
date: 2019-12-31
modified: 2025-10-21
tags:
    - attack.credential-access
    - attack.t1003.001
    - attack.s0005
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_img:
        Image|endswith:
            - '\WCE.exe'
            - '\WCE64.exe'
    selection_hash:
        Hashes|contains:
            - 'IMPHASH=136F0A8572C058A96436C82E541E4C41'
            - 'IMPHASH=589657C64DDE88533186C39F82FA1F50'
            - 'IMPHASH=6BFE09EFCB4FFDE061EBDBAFC4DB84CF'
            - 'IMPHASH=7D490037BF450877E6D0287BDCFF8D2E'
            - 'IMPHASH=8AB93B061287C79F3088C5BC7E7D97ED'
            - 'IMPHASH=A53A02B997935FD8EEDCB5F7ABAB9B9F'
            - 'IMPHASH=BA434A7A729EEC20E136CA4C32D6C740'
            - 'IMPHASH=BD1D1547DA13C0FCB6C15E86217D5EB8'
            - 'IMPHASH=E96A73C7BF33A464C510EDE582318BF2'
    condition: 1 of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: critical