dsquery.exe
Summary
Directory Service Query (dsquery.exe) queries Active Directory for objects matching specified criteria. It can search for users, computers, groups, OUs, contacts, and other AD objects.
dsquery.exe is the 205th most commonly executed Windows program in EchoTrail's dataset, observed 69,337 times across enterprise environments. It typically runs from C:\Windows\System32 and it is most often launched by cmd.exe.
Behavior
Top Paths
- C:\Windows\System32100%
Top Hashes (SHA256)
- fca06a6daca63cc713660538ce1330debe37c82539d02786964fe4d20eaea78a100%
Process Ancestry
Top Parents
- cmd.exe100%
Rare or environment-specific process names are omitted from ancestry tables. Percentages are of all observed relationships.
Security Analysis
What does dsquery.exe normally do?
Located in C:\Windows\System32. In this dataset, exclusively launched by cmd.exe. Only present on systems with AD DS tools installed (domain controllers, admin workstations with RSAT).
When is dsquery.exe suspicious?
Any execution on a non-admin workstation. Queries for domain admins, enterprise admins, or other privileged groups. Broad computer or user enumeration. Combined with other AD enumeration tools (dsget, adfind, net group /domain).
How do attackers abuse dsquery.exe?
Active Directory reconnaissance: attackers use dsquery to enumerate domain users, computers, groups, and organizational units to map the AD environment and identify high-value targets. dsquery user -name * or dsquery computer enumerates the entire directory.
Detection guidance
Medium-confidence: any dsquery execution on a non-admin workstation or non-domain controller. dsquery user or dsquery computer with broad criteria. High-confidence: dsquery combined with other AD enumeration in sequence. dsquery spawned by unusual parents (wmiprvse.exe, wsmprovhost.exe).
False positive notes
AD administrators use dsquery for legitimate directory management. Monitoring and inventory tools may query AD. Baseline normal dsquery usage per user and workstation.
Related Processes
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Data from EchoTrail's dataset of ~346M Windows process executions. Last extracted 2026-08-04.