WSL Kali-Linux Usage

title: WSL Kali-Linux Usage
id: 6f1a11aa-4b8a-4b7f-9e13-4d3e4ff0e0d4
status: experimental
description: Detects the use of Kali Linux through Windows Subsystem for Linux
references:
    - https://medium.com/@redfanatic7/running-kali-linux-on-windows-51ad95166e6e
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/install
author: Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel (Nextron Systems)
date: 2025-10-10
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1202
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_img_appdata:
        - Image|contains|all:
              - ':\Users\'
              - '\AppData\Local\packages\KaliLinux'
        - Image|contains|all:
              - ':\Users\'
              - '\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WindowsApps\kali.exe'
    selection_img_windowsapps:
        Image|contains: ':\Program Files\WindowsApps\KaliLinux.'
        Image|endswith: '\kali.exe'
    selection_kali_wsl_parent:
        ParentImage|endswith:
            - '\wsl.exe'
            - '\wslhost.exe'
    selection_kali_wsl_child:
        - Image|contains:
              - '\kali.exe'
              - '\KaliLinux'
        - CommandLine|contains:
              - 'Kali.exe'
              - 'Kali-linux'
              - 'kalilinux'
    filter_main_install_uninstall:
        CommandLine|contains:
            - ' -i '
            - ' --install '
            - ' --unregister '
    condition: 1 of selection_img_* or all of selection_kali_* and not 1 of filter_main_*
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate installation or usage of Kali Linux WSL by administrators or security teams
level: high