LogonUI.exe
Sources: 300M+ executions observed in the wild.
Summary
Windows Logon UI (LogonUI.exe) renders the Windows logon screen, lock screen, and credential entry interface. It handles the visual presentation for user authentication, including password entry, smart card, Windows Hello, and other credential providers.
LogonUI.exe is the 128th most commonly executed Windows program in EchoTrail's dataset, observed 165,793 times across enterprise environments. It typically runs from C:\Windows\System32 and it is most often launched by winlogon.exe.
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The same record for logonui.exe, by REST or as an MCP tool. Free key, no card.
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https://api.echotrail.io/v1/process/logonui.exeFree returns the summary. Team returns the full record you see on this page. Endpoint docs
Behavior
Top Paths
- C:\Windows\System32100%
Top Hashes (SHA256)
- 69ab1ba9247e34e0a6ddfdf3e737c48d70ffac2aca84491604ae53632d250d3728.88%
- 8d6207ee0d1a0476fe26acdb725fdb2cea9b691afb6b578acd039da7aed9de4f21.36%
- 536abc6d36a44a42c41263b0b470a5d2db75b9291585ae4efd94190c08c1c2339.57%
- cf01e46c146699f6c0e3dd447043f59bc9438dbbcb9563af6c60ebc6d82727f28.85%
- 630067181fa5b2e7d9e7f50c6cecf3c3e60eea426a7ab0125810e3337e14bae08.7%
- 997c0e69c490770815dd64189ad2f59f8309ad266981bfc5d70a728dd174d19c6.09%
- 9358ef8cb7fb08581d74274005263bd8fa2e6e0fc443930b25fd345cf6ce90715.6%
- 09ab0535a54c2e2962f0fd06988d99060f8ceca39b07ac00a63204c773b958934.23%
- aa62d29803d52ec06cd27ed3124e034048f09606eb7342181913c9817c7b44c52.62%
- cabe8ff476f814df398735ad3ad993884ad100c9aa4c153b4bacb7ef9fb555f91.38%
Process Ancestry
Top Grandparents
- smss.exe99.21%
- svchost.exe0.54%
- fontdrvhost.exe0.06%
- WUDFHost.exe0.03%
- dwm.exe0.03%
- nvvsvc.exe0.03%
- hmpalert.exe0.02%
- nvwmi64.exe0.02%
- LogonUI.exe0.02%
- Nuix-REST.exe<0.01%
Top Parents
- winlogon.exe99.09%
- wininit.exe0.11%
- smss.exe0.01%
- MicrosoftEdgeCP.exe<0.01%
Top Children
- opvapp.exe53.24%
- rundll32.exe7.23%
- WerFault.exe2.11%
- csrss.exe0.94%
- conhost.exe0.83%
- wininit.exe0.83%
- winlogon.exe0.11%
Security Analysis
What does LogonUI.exe normally do?
Located in C:\Windows\System32. Almost always launched by winlogon.exe. Appears at boot, lock screen, and user switch events.
When is LogonUI.exe suspicious?
Parent process other than winlogon.exe. Running from a non-standard path. Spawning shells or unexpected child processes.
How do attackers abuse LogonUI.exe?
Accessibility feature abuse (Sticky Keys): attackers replace accessibility binaries (sethc.exe, utilman.exe, osk.exe) that are launched from the logon screen to get a SYSTEM-level shell without logging in. This appears in the process tree near logonui.exe. Name masquerading: malware may impersonate logonui.exe.
Detection guidance
Monitor for accessibility feature binaries being replaced or spawning shells at the logon screen. winlogon.exe spawning unusual children in addition to logonui.exe. logonui.exe running from non-standard paths.
False positive notes
Normal at boot, screen lock, and user switch events. Some OEM software (Toshiba indicators) may be launched alongside logonui.exe.
MITRE ATT&CK techniques
Related Processes
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