related
high
Invoke-Obfuscation VAR++ LAUNCHER OBFUSCATION - PowerShell
Detects Obfuscated Powershell via VAR++ LAUNCHER
status test
author Timur Zinniatullin, oscd.community
id e54f5149-6ba3-49cf-b153-070d24679126
license Sigma · DRL-1.1
view Sigma YAML
title: Invoke-Obfuscation VAR++ LAUNCHER OBFUSCATION - PowerShell
id: e54f5149-6ba3-49cf-b153-070d24679126
status: test
description: Detects Obfuscated Powershell via VAR++ LAUNCHER
references:
- https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/issues/1009 # (Task27)
author: Timur Zinniatullin, oscd.community
date: 2020-10-13
modified: 2024-04-05
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1027
- attack.execution
- attack.t1059.001
logsource:
product: windows
category: ps_script
definition: 'Requirements: Script Block Logging must be enabled'
detection:
selection_4104:
ScriptBlockText|re: '(?i)&&set.*(\{\d\}){2,}\\"\s+?-f.*&&.*cmd.*/c' # FPs with |\/r
condition: selection_4104
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
related
high
Invoke-Obfuscation Via Use MSHTA - PowerShell
Detects Obfuscated Powershell via use MSHTA in Scripts
status test
author Nikita Nazarov, oscd.community
id e55a5195-4724-480e-a77e-3ebe64bd3759
license Sigma · DRL-1.1
view Sigma YAML
title: Invoke-Obfuscation Via Use MSHTA - PowerShell
id: e55a5195-4724-480e-a77e-3ebe64bd3759
status: test
description: Detects Obfuscated Powershell via use MSHTA in Scripts
references:
- https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/issues/1009 # (Task31)
author: Nikita Nazarov, oscd.community
date: 2020-10-08
modified: 2022-11-29
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1027
- attack.execution
- attack.t1059.001
logsource:
product: windows
category: ps_script
definition: 'Requirements: Script Block Logging must be enabled'
detection:
selection_4104:
ScriptBlockText|contains|all:
- 'set'
- '&&'
- 'mshta'
- 'vbscript:createobject'
- '.run'
- '(window.close)'
condition: selection_4104
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
related
high
Invoke-Obfuscation STDIN+ Launcher - Powershell
Detects Obfuscated use of stdin to execute PowerShell
status test
author Jonathan Cheong, oscd.community
id 779c8c12-0eb1-11eb-adc1-0242ac120002
license Sigma · DRL-1.1
view Sigma YAML
title: Invoke-Obfuscation STDIN+ Launcher - Powershell
id: 779c8c12-0eb1-11eb-adc1-0242ac120002
status: test
description: Detects Obfuscated use of stdin to execute PowerShell
references:
- https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/issues/1009 # (Task 25)
author: Jonathan Cheong, oscd.community
date: 2020-10-15
modified: 2024-04-05
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1027
- attack.execution
- attack.t1059.001
logsource:
product: windows
category: ps_script
definition: 'Requirements: Script Block Logging must be enabled'
detection:
selection_4104:
ScriptBlockText|re: 'cmd.{0,5}(?:/c|/r).+powershell.+(?:\$?\{?input\}?|noexit).+"'
condition: selection_4104
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
related
high
Potential Winnti Dropper Activity
Detects files dropped by Winnti as described in RedMimicry Winnti playbook
status test
author Alexander Rausch
id 130c9e58-28ac-4f83-8574-0a4cc913b97e
license Sigma · DRL-1.1
view Sigma YAML
title: Potential Winnti Dropper Activity
id: 130c9e58-28ac-4f83-8574-0a4cc913b97e
status: test
description: Detects files dropped by Winnti as described in RedMimicry Winnti playbook
references:
- https://redmimicry.com/posts/redmimicry-winnti/#dropper
author: Alexander Rausch
date: 2020-06-24
modified: 2023-01-05
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1027
logsource:
product: windows
category: file_event
detection:
selection:
TargetFilename|endswith:
- '\gthread-3.6.dll'
- '\sigcmm-2.4.dll'
- '\Windows\Temp\tmp.bat'
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
related
high
Suspicious Get-Variable.exe Creation
Get-Variable is a valid PowerShell cmdlet
WindowsApps is by default in the path where PowerShell is executed.
So when the Get-Variable command is issued on PowerShell execution, the system first looks for the Get-Variable executable in the path and executes the malicious binary instead of looking for the PowerShell cmdlet.
status test
author frack113
id 0c3fac91-5627-46e8-a6a8-a0d7b9b8ae1b
license Sigma · DRL-1.1
view Sigma YAML
title: Suspicious Get-Variable.exe Creation
id: 0c3fac91-5627-46e8-a6a8-a0d7b9b8ae1b
status: test
description: |
Get-Variable is a valid PowerShell cmdlet
WindowsApps is by default in the path where PowerShell is executed.
So when the Get-Variable command is issued on PowerShell execution, the system first looks for the Get-Variable executable in the path and executes the malicious binary instead of looking for the PowerShell cmdlet.
references:
- https://blog.malwarebytes.com/threat-intelligence/2022/04/colibri-loader-combines-task-scheduler-and-powershell-in-clever-persistence-technique/
- https://www.joesandbox.com/analysis/465533/0/html
author: frack113
date: 2022-04-23
tags:
- attack.privilege-escalation
- attack.persistence
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1546
- attack.t1027
logsource:
product: windows
category: file_event
detection:
selection:
TargetFilename|endswith: 'Local\Microsoft\WindowsApps\Get-Variable.exe'
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
related
high
Base64 Encoded PowerShell Command Detected
Detects usage of the "FromBase64String" function in the commandline which is used to decode a base64 encoded string
status test
author Florian Roth (Nextron Systems)
id e32d4572-9826-4738-b651-95fa63747e8a
license Sigma · DRL-1.1
view Sigma YAML
title: Base64 Encoded PowerShell Command Detected
id: e32d4572-9826-4738-b651-95fa63747e8a
status: test
description: Detects usage of the "FromBase64String" function in the commandline which is used to decode a base64 encoded string
references:
- https://gist.github.com/Neo23x0/6af876ee72b51676c82a2db8d2cd3639
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems)
date: 2020-01-29
modified: 2023-01-26
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1027
- attack.execution
- attack.t1140
- attack.t1059.001
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection:
CommandLine|contains: '::FromBase64String('
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Administrative script libraries
level: high
Detects a ping command that uses a hex encoded IP address
status test
author Florian Roth (Nextron Systems)
id 1a0d4aba-7668-4365-9ce4-6d79ab088dfd
license Sigma · DRL-1.1
view Sigma YAML
title: Ping Hex IP
id: 1a0d4aba-7668-4365-9ce4-6d79ab088dfd
status: test
description: Detects a ping command that uses a hex encoded IP address
references:
- https://github.com/vysecurity/Aggressor-VYSEC/blob/0d61c80387b9432dab64b8b8a9fb52d20cfef80e/ping.cna
- https://twitter.com/vysecurity/status/977198418354491392
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems)
date: 2018-03-23
modified: 2025-10-17
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1140
- attack.t1027
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection:
Image|endswith: '\ping.exe'
CommandLine|re: '0x[a-fA-F0-9]{8}'
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Unlikely, because no sane admin pings IP addresses in a hexadecimal form
level: high
related
high
Invoke-Obfuscation VAR+ Launcher
Detects Obfuscated use of Environment Variables to execute PowerShell
status test
author Jonathan Cheong, oscd.community
id 27aec9c9-dbb0-4939-8422-1742242471d0
license Sigma · DRL-1.1
view Sigma YAML
title: Invoke-Obfuscation VAR+ Launcher
id: 27aec9c9-dbb0-4939-8422-1742242471d0
status: test
description: Detects Obfuscated use of Environment Variables to execute PowerShell
references:
- https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/issues/1009 # (Task 24)
author: Jonathan Cheong, oscd.community
date: 2020-10-15
modified: 2024-04-15
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1027
- attack.execution
- attack.t1059.001
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection:
# Example 1: C:\winDoWs\SySTeM32\cmd.Exe /C"SET NOtI=Invoke-Expression (New-Object Net.WebClient).DownloadString&& PowERshElL -NOl SET-iteM ( 'VAR' + 'i'+ 'A' + 'blE:Ao6' + 'I0') ( [TYpe](\"{2}{3}{0}{1}\"-F 'iRoN','mENT','e','nv') ) ; ${exECUtIONCOnTEXT}.\"IN`VO`KecOmMaND\".\"inVo`KES`crIPt\"( ( ( GEt-VAriAble ( 'a' + 'o6I0') -vaLU )::(\"{1}{4}{2}{3}{0}\" -f'e','gETenvIR','NtvaRIa','BL','ONme' ).Invoke(( \"{0}{1}\"-f'n','oti' ),( \"{0}{1}\" -f'pRoC','esS') )) )"
# Example 2: cMD.exe /C "seT SlDb=Invoke-Expression (New-Object Net.WebClient).DownloadString&& pOWErShell .(( ^&(\"{1}{0}{2}{3}\" -f 'eT-vaR','G','iab','lE' ) (\"{0}{1}\" -f '*m','DR*' ) ).\"na`ME\"[3,11,2]-JOIN'' ) ( ( ^&(\"{0}{1}\" -f'g','CI' ) (\"{0}{1}\" -f 'ENV',':SlDb' ) ).\"VA`luE\" ) "
CommandLine|re: 'cmd.{0,5}(?:/c|/r)(?:\s|)\"set\s[a-zA-Z]{3,6}.*(?:\{\d\}){1,}\\\"\s+?\-f(?:.*\)){1,}.*\"'
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
related
high
PowerShell Base64 Encoded Reflective Assembly Load
Detects base64 encoded .NET reflective loading of Assembly
status test
author Christian Burkard (Nextron Systems), pH-T (Nextron Systems)
id 62b7ccc9-23b4-471e-aa15-6da3663c4d59
license Sigma · DRL-1.1
view Sigma YAML
title: PowerShell Base64 Encoded Reflective Assembly Load
id: 62b7ccc9-23b4-471e-aa15-6da3663c4d59
related:
- id: 9c0295ce-d60d-40bd-bd74-84673b7592b1
type: similar
status: test
description: Detects base64 encoded .NET reflective loading of Assembly
references:
- https://github.com/Neo23x0/Raccine/blob/20a569fa21625086433dcce8bb2765d0ea08dcb6/yara/mal_revil.yar
- https://thedfirreport.com/2022/05/09/seo-poisoning-a-gootloader-story/
author: Christian Burkard (Nextron Systems), pH-T (Nextron Systems)
date: 2022-03-01
modified: 2023-01-30
tags:
- attack.execution
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1059.001
- attack.t1027
- attack.t1620
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection:
CommandLine|contains:
# [Reflection.Assembly]::Load(
- 'WwBSAGUAZgBsAGUAYwB0AGkAbwBuAC4AQQBzAHMAZQBtAGIAbAB5AF0AOgA6AEwAbwBhAGQAKA'
- 'sAUgBlAGYAbABlAGMAdABpAG8AbgAuAEEAcwBzAGUAbQBiAGwAeQBdADoAOgBMAG8AYQBkACgA'
- 'bAFIAZQBmAGwAZQBjAHQAaQBvAG4ALgBBAHMAcwBlAG0AYgBsAHkAXQA6ADoATABvAGEAZAAoA'
# [reflection.assembly]::("Load")
- 'AFsAcgBlAGYAbABlAGMAdABpAG8AbgAuAGEAcwBzAGUAbQBiAGwAeQBdADoAOgAoACIATABvAGEAZAAiAC'
- 'BbAHIAZQBmAGwAZQBjAHQAaQBvAG4ALgBhAHMAcwBlAG0AYgBsAHkAXQA6ADoAKAAiAEwAbwBhAGQAIgAp'
- 'AWwByAGUAZgBsAGUAYwB0AGkAbwBuAC4AYQBzAHMAZQBtAGIAbAB5AF0AOgA6ACgAIgBMAG8AYQBkACIAK'
# [Reflection.Assembly]::("Load")
- 'WwBSAGUAZgBsAGUAYwB0AGkAbwBuAC4AQQBzAHMAZQBtAGIAbAB5AF0AOgA6ACgAIgBMAG8AYQBkACIAKQ'
- 'sAUgBlAGYAbABlAGMAdABpAG8AbgAuAEEAcwBzAGUAbQBiAGwAeQBdADoAOgAoACIATABvAGEAZAAiACkA'
- 'bAFIAZQBmAGwAZQBjAHQAaQBvAG4ALgBBAHMAcwBlAG0AYgBsAHkAXQA6ADoAKAAiAEwAbwBhAGQAIgApA'
# [reflection.assembly]::Load(
- 'WwByAGUAZgBsAGUAYwB0AGkAbwBuAC4AYQBzAHMAZQBtAGIAbAB5AF0AOgA6AEwAbwBhAGQAKA'
- 'sAcgBlAGYAbABlAGMAdABpAG8AbgAuAGEAcwBzAGUAbQBiAGwAeQBdADoAOgBMAG8AYQBkACgA'
- 'bAHIAZQBmAGwAZQBjAHQAaQBvAG4ALgBhAHMAcwBlAG0AYgBsAHkAXQA6ADoATABvAGEAZAAoA'
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Unlikely
level: high
related
high
Suspicious File Encoded To Base64 Via Certutil.EXE
Detects the execution of certutil with the "encode" flag to encode a file to base64 where the extensions of the file is suspicious
status test
author Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
id ea0cdc3e-2239-4f26-a947-4e8f8224e464
license Sigma · DRL-1.1
view Sigma YAML
title: Suspicious File Encoded To Base64 Via Certutil.EXE
id: ea0cdc3e-2239-4f26-a947-4e8f8224e464
related:
- id: e62a9f0c-ca1e-46b2-85d5-a6da77f86d1a
type: derived
status: test
description: Detects the execution of certutil with the "encode" flag to encode a file to base64 where the extensions of the file is suspicious
references:
- https://www.virustotal.com/gui/file/35c22725a92d5cb1016b09421c0a6cdbfd860fd4778b3313669b057d4a131cb7/behavior
- https://www.virustotal.com/gui/file/427616528b7dbc4a6057ac89eb174a3a90f7abcf3f34e5a359b7a910d82f7a72/behavior
- https://www.virustotal.com/gui/file/34de4c8beded481a4084a1fd77855c3e977e8ac643e5c5842d0f15f7f9b9086f/behavior
- https://www.virustotal.com/gui/file/4abe1395a09fda06d897a9c4eb247278c1b6cddda5d126ce5b3f4f499e3b8fa2/behavior
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2023-05-15
modified: 2024-03-05
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1027
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection_img:
- Image|endswith: '\certutil.exe'
- OriginalFileName: 'CertUtil.exe'
selection_cli:
CommandLine|contains|windash: '-encode'
selection_extension:
CommandLine|contains:
- '.acl'
- '.bat'
- '.doc'
- '.gif'
- '.jpeg'
- '.jpg'
- '.mp3'
- '.pdf'
- '.png'
- '.ppt'
- '.tmp'
- '.xls'
- '.xml'
condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
regression_tests_path: regression_data/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_certutil_encode_susp_extensions/info.yml
related
high
File Decoded From Base64/Hex Via Certutil.EXE
Detects the execution of certutil with either the "decode" or "decodehex" flags to decode base64 or hex encoded files. This can be abused by attackers to decode an encoded payload before execution
status test
author Florian Roth (Nextron Systems), Jonhnathan Ribeiro, oscd.community
id cc9cbe82-7bc0-4ef5-bc23-bbfb83947be7
license Sigma · DRL-1.1
view Sigma YAML
title: File Decoded From Base64/Hex Via Certutil.EXE
id: cc9cbe82-7bc0-4ef5-bc23-bbfb83947be7
status: test
description: Detects the execution of certutil with either the "decode" or "decodehex" flags to decode base64 or hex encoded files. This can be abused by attackers to decode an encoded payload before execution
references:
- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/certutil
- https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/new-babyshark-malware-targets-u-s-national-security-think-tanks/
- https://news.sophos.com/en-us/2021/04/13/compromised-exchange-server-hosting-cryptojacker-targeting-other-exchange-servers/
- https://twitter.com/JohnLaTwC/status/835149808817991680
- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/archive/blogs/pki/basic-crl-checking-with-certutil
- https://lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/Binaries/Certutil/
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems), Jonhnathan Ribeiro, oscd.community
date: 2023-02-15
modified: 2025-06-04
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1027
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection_img:
- Image|endswith: '\certutil.exe'
- OriginalFileName: 'CertUtil.exe'
selection_cli:
CommandLine|contains|windash:
- '-decode ' # Decode Base64
- '-decodehex ' # Decode Hex
condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
regression_tests_path: regression_data/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_certutil_decode/info.yml
related
high
Invoke-Obfuscation Obfuscated IEX Invocation
Detects all variations of obfuscated powershell IEX invocation code generated by Invoke-Obfuscation framework from the following code block
status test
author Daniel Bohannon (@Mandiant/@FireEye), oscd.community
id 4bf943c6-5146-4273-98dd-e958fd1e3abf
license Sigma · DRL-1.1
view Sigma YAML
title: Invoke-Obfuscation Obfuscated IEX Invocation
id: 4bf943c6-5146-4273-98dd-e958fd1e3abf
status: test
description: Detects all variations of obfuscated powershell IEX invocation code generated by Invoke-Obfuscation framework from the following code block
references:
- https://github.com/danielbohannon/Invoke-Obfuscation/blob/f20e7f843edd0a3a7716736e9eddfa423395dd26/Out-ObfuscatedStringCommand.ps1#L873-L888
author: 'Daniel Bohannon (@Mandiant/@FireEye), oscd.community'
date: 2019-11-08
modified: 2026-03-16
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1027
- attack.execution
- attack.t1059.001
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection:
- CommandLine|re: '\$PSHome\[\s*\d{1,3}\s*\]\s*\+\s*\$PSHome\['
- CommandLine|re: '\$ShellId\[\s*\d{1,3}\s*\]\s*\+\s*\$ShellId\['
- CommandLine|re: '\$env:Public\[\s*\d{1,3}\s*\]\s*\+\s*\$env:Public\['
- CommandLine|re: '\$env:ComSpec\[(?:\s*\d{1,3}\s*,){2}'
- CommandLine|re: '\*mdr\*\W\s*\)\.Name'
- CommandLine|re: '\$VerbosePreference\.ToString\('
- CommandLine|re: '\[String\]\s*\$VerbosePreference'
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
related
high
Invoke-Obfuscation Via Use Clip
Detects Obfuscated Powershell via use Clip.exe in Scripts
status test
author Nikita Nazarov, oscd.community
id e1561947-b4e3-4a74-9bdd-83baed21bdb5
license Sigma · DRL-1.1
view Sigma YAML
title: Invoke-Obfuscation Via Use Clip
id: e1561947-b4e3-4a74-9bdd-83baed21bdb5
status: test
description: Detects Obfuscated Powershell via use Clip.exe in Scripts
references:
- https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/issues/1009 # (Task29)
author: Nikita Nazarov, oscd.community
date: 2020-10-09
modified: 2026-03-16
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1027
- attack.execution
- attack.t1059.001
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection:
# Example 1: C:\WINdoWS\sySteM32\CMd /c " ECho\Invoke-Expression (New-Object Net.WebClient).DownloadString|Clip.Exe&&C:\WINdoWS\sySteM32\CMd /c pOWerSheLl -STa . ( \"{2}{0}{1}\"-f'dd-',(\"{0}{1}\" -f 'T','ype' ),'A' ) -Assembly ( \"{4}{1}{3}{0}{2}\"-f (\"{0}{1}\" -f 'nd','ow'),( \"{1}{0}\"-f'.W','stem' ),( \"{2}{1}{0}\" -f 'rms','Fo','s.'),'i','Sy') ; ${exeCUtIOnCONTeXT}.\"INV`oKECOM`m`ANd\".\"INV`ok`ESCriPT\"( ( [sYSteM.wiNDoWS.forMs.ClIPboaRD]::( \"{2}{0}{1}\" -f'Ex','t',(\"{0}{1}\" -f'Get','t' ) ).\"iNvo`Ke\"( )) ) ; [System.Windows.Forms.Clipboard]::(\"{1}{0}\" -f 'ar','Cle' ).\"in`V`oKE\"( )"
# Example 2: C:\WINDowS\sYsTEM32\CmD.eXE /C" echo\Invoke-Expression (New-Object Net.WebClient).DownloadString| C:\WIndOWs\SYSteM32\CLip &&C:\WINDowS\sYsTEM32\CmD.eXE /C POWERSHeLL -sT -noL [Void][System.Reflection.Assembly]::( \"{0}{3}{4}{1}{2}\" -f( \"{0}{1}\"-f'Lo','adW' ),( \"{0}{1}\"-f 'Par','t'),( \"{0}{1}{2}\"-f 'ial','N','ame'),'it','h' ).\"in`VO`KE\"( ( \"{3}{1}{4}{5}{2}{0}\"-f'rms','ystem.Windo','Fo','S','w','s.' )) ; ( [wIndows.fOrms.cLIPBOArD]::( \"{1}{0}\"-f'T',( \"{1}{0}\" -f'tEX','gET' )).\"i`Nvoke\"( ) ) ^^^| ^^^& ( ( ^^^& ( \"{2}{1}{0}\"-f 'e',( \"{2}{1}{0}\"-f'IABl','aR','v' ),( \"{0}{1}\"-f'Get','-' ) ) ( \"{1}{0}\"-f'*','*MDr' )).\"n`Ame\"[3,11,2]-jOin'') ; [Windows.Forms.Clipboard]::( \"{0}{1}\" -f (\"{1}{0}\"-f'tT','Se' ),'ext').\"in`VoKe\"(' ' )"
CommandLine|re: '(?i)echo.*clip.*&&.*(?:Clipboard|i`?n`?v`?o`?k`?e`?)'
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
related
high
Suspicious Encoded And Obfuscated Reflection Assembly Load Function Call
Detects suspicious base64 encoded and obfuscated "LOAD" keyword used in .NET "reflection.assembly"
status test
author pH-T (Nextron Systems)
id 9c0295ce-d60d-40bd-bd74-84673b7592b1
license Sigma · DRL-1.1
view Sigma YAML
title: Suspicious Encoded And Obfuscated Reflection Assembly Load Function Call
id: 9c0295ce-d60d-40bd-bd74-84673b7592b1
related:
- id: 62b7ccc9-23b4-471e-aa15-6da3663c4d59
type: similar
status: test
description: Detects suspicious base64 encoded and obfuscated "LOAD" keyword used in .NET "reflection.assembly"
references:
- https://github.com/Neo23x0/Raccine/blob/20a569fa21625086433dcce8bb2765d0ea08dcb6/yara/mal_revil.yar
- https://thedfirreport.com/2022/05/09/seo-poisoning-a-gootloader-story/
- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/api/system.appdomain.load?view=net-7.0
author: pH-T (Nextron Systems)
date: 2022-03-01
modified: 2023-04-06
tags:
- attack.execution
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1059.001
- attack.t1027
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection:
CommandLine|contains:
# ::("L"+"oad")
- 'OgA6ACgAIgBMACIAKwAiAG8AYQBkACIAKQ'
- 'oAOgAoACIATAAiACsAIgBvAGEAZAAiACkA'
- '6ADoAKAAiAEwAIgArACIAbwBhAGQAIgApA'
# ::("Lo"+"ad")
- 'OgA6ACgAIgBMAG8AIgArACIAYQBkACIAKQ'
- 'oAOgAoACIATABvACIAKwAiAGEAZAAiACkA'
- '6ADoAKAAiAEwAbwAiACsAIgBhAGQAIgApA'
# ::("Loa"+"d")
- 'OgA6ACgAIgBMAG8AYQAiACsAIgBkACIAKQ'
- 'oAOgAoACIATABvAGEAIgArACIAZAAiACkA'
- '6ADoAKAAiAEwAbwBhACIAKwAiAGQAIgApA'
# ::('L'+'oad')
- 'OgA6ACgAJwBMACcAKwAnAG8AYQBkACcAKQ'
- 'oAOgAoACcATAAnACsAJwBvAGEAZAAnACkA'
- '6ADoAKAAnAEwAJwArACcAbwBhAGQAJwApA'
# ::('Lo'+'ad')
- 'OgA6ACgAJwBMAG8AJwArACcAYQBkACcAKQ'
- 'oAOgAoACcATABvACcAKwAnAGEAZAAnACkA'
- '6ADoAKAAnAEwAbwAnACsAJwBhAGQAJwApA'
# ::('Loa'+'d')
- 'OgA6ACgAJwBMAG8AYQAnACsAJwBkACcAKQ'
- 'oAOgAoACcATABvAGEAJwArACcAZAAnACkA'
- '6ADoAKAAnAEwAbwBhACcAKwAnAGQAJwApA'
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Unlikely
level: high
related
high
Invoke-Obfuscation Via Use MSHTA
Detects Obfuscated Powershell via use MSHTA in Scripts
status test
author Nikita Nazarov, oscd.community
id ac20ae82-8758-4f38-958e-b44a3140ca88
license Sigma · DRL-1.1
view Sigma YAML
title: Invoke-Obfuscation Via Use MSHTA
id: ac20ae82-8758-4f38-958e-b44a3140ca88
status: test
description: Detects Obfuscated Powershell via use MSHTA in Scripts
references:
- https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/issues/1009 # (Task31)
author: Nikita Nazarov, oscd.community
date: 2020-10-08
modified: 2022-03-08
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1027
- attack.execution
- attack.t1059.001
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection:
CommandLine|contains|all:
- 'set'
- '&&'
- 'mshta'
- 'vbscript:createobject'
- '.run'
- '(window.close)'
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
related
high
File In Suspicious Location Encoded To Base64 Via Certutil.EXE
Detects the execution of certutil with the "encode" flag to encode a file to base64 where the files are located in potentially suspicious locations
status test
author Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
id 82a6714f-4899-4f16-9c1e-9a333544d4c3
license Sigma · DRL-1.1
view Sigma YAML
title: File In Suspicious Location Encoded To Base64 Via Certutil.EXE
id: 82a6714f-4899-4f16-9c1e-9a333544d4c3
related:
- id: e62a9f0c-ca1e-46b2-85d5-a6da77f86d1a
type: derived
status: test
description: Detects the execution of certutil with the "encode" flag to encode a file to base64 where the files are located in potentially suspicious locations
references:
- https://www.virustotal.com/gui/file/35c22725a92d5cb1016b09421c0a6cdbfd860fd4778b3313669b057d4a131cb7/behavior
- https://www.virustotal.com/gui/file/427616528b7dbc4a6057ac89eb174a3a90f7abcf3f34e5a359b7a910d82f7a72/behavior
- https://www.virustotal.com/gui/file/34de4c8beded481a4084a1fd77855c3e977e8ac643e5c5842d0f15f7f9b9086f/behavior
- https://www.virustotal.com/gui/file/4abe1395a09fda06d897a9c4eb247278c1b6cddda5d126ce5b3f4f499e3b8fa2/behavior
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2023-05-15
modified: 2024-03-05
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1027
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection_img:
- Image|endswith: '\certutil.exe'
- OriginalFileName: 'CertUtil.exe'
selection_cli:
CommandLine|contains|windash: '-encode'
selection_extension:
CommandLine|contains:
# Note: Add more suspicious locations to increase coverage
- '\AppData\Roaming\'
- '\Desktop\'
- '\Local\Temp\'
- '\PerfLogs\'
- '\Users\Public\'
- '\Windows\Temp\'
- '$Recycle.Bin'
condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
regression_tests_path: regression_data/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_certutil_encode_susp_location/info.yml
related
high
Potential PowerShell Command Line Obfuscation
Detects the PowerShell command lines with special characters
status test
author Teymur Kheirkhabarov (idea), Vasiliy Burov (rule), oscd.community, Tim Shelton (fp)
id d7bcd677-645d-4691-a8d4-7a5602b780d1
license Sigma · DRL-1.1
view Sigma YAML
title: Potential PowerShell Command Line Obfuscation
id: d7bcd677-645d-4691-a8d4-7a5602b780d1
status: test
description: Detects the PowerShell command lines with special characters
references:
- https://speakerdeck.com/heirhabarov/hunting-for-powershell-abuse?slide=64
author: Teymur Kheirkhabarov (idea), Vasiliy Burov (rule), oscd.community, Tim Shelton (fp)
date: 2020-10-15
modified: 2024-04-15
tags:
- attack.execution
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1027
- attack.t1059.001
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection_img:
- Image|endswith:
- '\powershell.exe'
- '\pwsh.exe'
- OriginalFileName:
- 'PowerShell.EXE'
- 'pwsh.dll'
selection_re:
# TODO: Optimize for PySIGMA
- CommandLine|re: '\+.*\+.*\+.*\+.*\+.*\+.*\+.*\+.*\+.*\+.*\+.*\+.*\+.*\+'
- CommandLine|re: '\{.*\{.*\{.*\{.*\{.*\{.*\{.*\{.*\{.*\{'
- CommandLine|re: '\^.*\^.*\^.*\^.*\^'
- CommandLine|re: '`.*`.*`.*`.*`'
filter_optional_amazonSSM:
ParentImage: C:\Program Files\Amazon\SSM\ssm-document-worker.exe
filter_optional_defender_atp:
CommandLine|contains:
- 'new EventSource("Microsoft.Windows.Sense.Client.Management"'
- 'public static extern bool InstallELAMCertificateInfo(SafeFileHandle handle);'
condition: all of selection_* and not 1 of filter_optional_*
falsepositives:
- Amazon SSM Document Worker
- Windows Defender ATP
level: high
related
high
PowerShell Base64 Encoded WMI Classes
Detects calls to base64 encoded WMI class such as "Win32_ShadowCopy", "Win32_ScheduledJob", etc.
status test
author Christian Burkard (Nextron Systems), Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
id 1816994b-42e1-4fb1-afd2-134d88184f71
license Sigma · DRL-1.1
view Sigma YAML
title: PowerShell Base64 Encoded WMI Classes
id: 1816994b-42e1-4fb1-afd2-134d88184f71
related:
- id: 47688f1b-9f51-4656-b013-3cc49a166a36
type: obsolete
status: test
description: Detects calls to base64 encoded WMI class such as "Win32_ShadowCopy", "Win32_ScheduledJob", etc.
references:
- https://github.com/Neo23x0/Raccine/blob/20a569fa21625086433dcce8bb2765d0ea08dcb6/yara/mal_revil.yar
author: Christian Burkard (Nextron Systems), Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2023-01-30
tags:
- attack.execution
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1059.001
- attack.t1027
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection_img:
- Image|endswith:
- '\powershell.exe'
- '\pwsh.exe'
- OriginalFileName:
- 'PowerShell.EXE'
- 'pwsh.dll'
selection_cli_shadowcopy:
# Win32_ShadowCopy
CommandLine|contains:
- 'VwBpAG4AMwAyAF8AUwBoAGEAZABvAHcAYwBvAHAAeQ'
- 'cAaQBuADMAMgBfAFMAaABhAGQAbwB3AGMAbwBwAHkA'
- 'XAGkAbgAzADIAXwBTAGgAYQBkAG8AdwBjAG8AcAB5A'
- 'V2luMzJfU2hhZG93Y29we'
- 'dpbjMyX1NoYWRvd2NvcH'
- 'XaW4zMl9TaGFkb3djb3B5'
selection_cli_scheduledJob:
# Win32_ScheduledJob
CommandLine|contains:
- 'VwBpAG4AMwAyAF8AUwBjAGgAZQBkAHUAbABlAGQASgBvAGIA'
- 'cAaQBuADMAMgBfAFMAYwBoAGUAZAB1AGwAZQBkAEoAbwBiA'
- 'XAGkAbgAzADIAXwBTAGMAaABlAGQAdQBsAGUAZABKAG8AYg'
- 'V2luMzJfU2NoZWR1bGVkSm9i'
- 'dpbjMyX1NjaGVkdWxlZEpvY'
- 'XaW4zMl9TY2hlZHVsZWRKb2'
selection_cli_process:
# Win32_Process
CommandLine|contains:
- 'VwBpAG4AMwAyAF8AUAByAG8AYwBlAHMAcw'
- 'cAaQBuADMAMgBfAFAAcgBvAGMAZQBzAHMA'
- 'XAGkAbgAzADIAXwBQAHIAbwBjAGUAcwBzA'
- 'V2luMzJfUHJvY2Vzc'
- 'dpbjMyX1Byb2Nlc3'
- 'XaW4zMl9Qcm9jZXNz'
selection_cli_useraccount:
# Win32_UserAccount
CommandLine|contains:
- 'VwBpAG4AMwAyAF8AVQBzAGUAcgBBAGMAYwBvAHUAbgB0A'
- 'cAaQBuADMAMgBfAFUAcwBlAHIAQQBjAGMAbwB1AG4AdA'
- 'XAGkAbgAzADIAXwBVAHMAZQByAEEAYwBjAG8AdQBuAHQA'
- 'V2luMzJfVXNlckFjY291bn'
- 'dpbjMyX1VzZXJBY2NvdW50'
- 'XaW4zMl9Vc2VyQWNjb3Vud'
selection_cli_loggedonuser:
# Win32_LoggedOnUser
CommandLine|contains:
- 'VwBpAG4AMwAyAF8ATABvAGcAZwBlAGQATwBuAFUAcwBlAHIA'
- 'cAaQBuADMAMgBfAEwAbwBnAGcAZQBkAE8AbgBVAHMAZQByA'
- 'XAGkAbgAzADIAXwBMAG8AZwBnAGUAZABPAG4AVQBzAGUAcg'
- 'V2luMzJfTG9nZ2VkT25Vc2Vy'
- 'dpbjMyX0xvZ2dlZE9uVXNlc'
- 'XaW4zMl9Mb2dnZWRPblVzZX'
condition: selection_img and 1 of selection_cli_*
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
related
high
Potential PowerShell Obfuscation Via WCHAR/CHAR
Detects suspicious encoded character syntax often used for defense evasion
status test
author Florian Roth (Nextron Systems)
id e312efd0-35a1-407f-8439-b8d434b438a6
license Sigma · DRL-1.1
view Sigma YAML
title: Potential PowerShell Obfuscation Via WCHAR/CHAR
id: e312efd0-35a1-407f-8439-b8d434b438a6
status: test
description: Detects suspicious encoded character syntax often used for defense evasion
references:
- https://twitter.com/0gtweet/status/1281103918693482496
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems)
date: 2020-07-09
modified: 2025-03-03
tags:
- attack.execution
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1059.001
- attack.t1027
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection:
CommandLine|contains:
- '[char]0x'
- '(WCHAR)0x'
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
related
high
Suspicious File Downloaded From Direct IP Via Certutil.EXE
Detects the execution of certutil with certain flags that allow the utility to download files from direct IPs.
status test
author Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
id 13e6fe51-d478-4c7e-b0f2-6da9b400a829
license Sigma · DRL-1.1
view Sigma YAML
title: Suspicious File Downloaded From Direct IP Via Certutil.EXE
id: 13e6fe51-d478-4c7e-b0f2-6da9b400a829
related:
- id: 19b08b1c-861d-4e75-a1ef-ea0c1baf202b # Direct IP download
type: similar
- id: 42a5f1e7-9603-4f6d-97ae-3f37d130d794 # File sharing download
type: similar
status: test
description: Detects the execution of certutil with certain flags that allow the utility to download files from direct IPs.
references:
- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/certutil
- https://forensicitguy.github.io/agenttesla-vba-certutil-download/
- https://news.sophos.com/en-us/2021/04/13/compromised-exchange-server-hosting-cryptojacker-targeting-other-exchange-servers/
- https://twitter.com/egre55/status/1087685529016193025
- https://lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/Binaries/Certutil/
- https://twitter.com/_JohnHammond/status/1708910264261980634
- https://www.hexacorn.com/blog/2020/08/23/certutil-one-more-gui-lolbin
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2023-02-15
modified: 2025-12-01
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1027
- attack.command-and-control
- attack.t1105
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection_img:
- Image|endswith: '\certutil.exe'
- OriginalFileName: 'CertUtil.exe'
selection_flags:
CommandLine|contains:
- 'urlcache '
- 'verifyctl '
- 'URL '
selection_http:
CommandLine|contains:
- '://1'
- '://2'
- '://3'
- '://4'
- '://5'
- '://6'
- '://7'
- '://8'
- '://9'
# filter_local_ips:
# # Note: Uncomment this filter if you want to exclude local IPs
# CommandLine|contains:
# - '://10.' # 10.0.0.0/8
# - '://192.168.' # 192.168.0.0/16
# - '://172.16.' # 172.16.0.0/12
# - '://172.17.'
# - '://172.18.'
# - '://172.19.'
# - '://172.20.'
# - '://172.21.'
# - '://172.22.'
# - '://172.23.'
# - '://172.24.'
# - '://172.25.'
# - '://172.26.'
# - '://172.27.'
# - '://172.28.'
# - '://172.29.'
# - '://172.30.'
# - '://172.31.'
# - '://127.' # 127.0.0.0/8
# - '://169.254.' # 169.254.0.0/16
filter_main_seven_zip:
CommandLine|contains: '://7-' # For https://7-zip.org/
condition: all of selection_* and not 1 of filter_main_*
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
regression_tests_path: regression_data/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_certutil_download_direct_ip/info.yml
related
high
Invoke-Obfuscation Via Stdin
Detects Obfuscated Powershell via Stdin in Scripts
status test
author Nikita Nazarov, oscd.community
id 9c14c9fa-1a63-4a64-8e57-d19280559490
license Sigma · DRL-1.1
view Sigma YAML
title: Invoke-Obfuscation Via Stdin
id: 9c14c9fa-1a63-4a64-8e57-d19280559490
status: test
description: Detects Obfuscated Powershell via Stdin in Scripts
references:
- https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/issues/1009 # (Task28)
author: Nikita Nazarov, oscd.community
date: 2020-10-12
modified: 2026-03-16
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1027
- attack.execution
- attack.t1059.001
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection:
CommandLine|re: '(?i)(?:set).*&&\s?set.*(?:environment|invoke|\$\{?input).*&&.*"'
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
related
high
Invoke-Obfuscation VAR++ LAUNCHER OBFUSCATION
Detects Obfuscated Powershell via VAR++ LAUNCHER
status test
author Timur Zinniatullin, oscd.community
id e9f55347-2928-4c06-88e5-1a7f8169942e
license Sigma · DRL-1.1
view Sigma YAML
title: Invoke-Obfuscation VAR++ LAUNCHER OBFUSCATION
id: e9f55347-2928-4c06-88e5-1a7f8169942e
status: test
description: Detects Obfuscated Powershell via VAR++ LAUNCHER
references:
- https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/issues/1009 # (Task27)
author: Timur Zinniatullin, oscd.community
date: 2020-10-13
modified: 2022-11-16
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1027
- attack.execution
- attack.t1059.001
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection:
# CommandLine|re: '(?i)&&set.*(\{\d\}){2,}\\\"\s+?\-f.*&&.*cmd.*\/c' # FPs with |\/r
# Example 1: CMD /C"sET KUR=Invoke-Expression (New-Object Net.WebClient).DownloadString&&Set MxI=C:\wINDowS\sYsWow64\winDOWspoWERSheLl\V1.0\PowerShelL.EXe ${ExEcut`IoN`cON`TExT}.\"invo`kEcoMm`A`ND\".( \"{2}{1}{0}\" -f 'pt','EscRi','INvOk' ).Invoke( ( .( \"{0}{1}\" -f'D','IR' ) ( \"{0}{1}\"-f'ENV:kU','R')).\"vAl`Ue\" )&& CMD /C%mXI%"
# Example 2: c:\WiNDOWS\sYSTEm32\CmD.exE /C "sEt DeJLz=Invoke-Expression (New-Object Net.WebClient).DownloadString&&set yBKM=PoWERShelL -noeX ^^^&(\"{2}{0}{1}\"-f '-ItE','m','seT') ( 'V' + 'a'+ 'RiAblE:z8J' +'U2' + 'l' ) ([TYpE]( \"{2}{3}{0}{1}\"-f 'e','NT','e','NViRONM' ) ) ; ^^^& ( ( [sTrIng]${VE`Rbo`SepReFER`Ence})[1,3] + 'X'-joIN'')( ( (.('gI') ('V' + 'a' + 'RIAbLe:z8j' + 'u2' +'l' ) ).vALUe::( \"{2}{5}{0}{1}{6}{4}{3}\" -f 'IRo','Nm','GETE','ABlE','I','nv','enTVAr').Invoke(( \"{0}{1}\"-f'd','ejLz' ),( \"{1}{2}{0}\"-f'cEss','P','RO') )) )&& c:\WiNDOWS\sYSTEm32\CmD.exE /C %ybkm%"
CommandLine|contains|all:
- '&&set'
- 'cmd'
- '/c'
- '-f'
CommandLine|contains:
- '{0}'
- '{1}'
- '{2}'
- '{3}'
- '{4}'
- '{5}'
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
related
high
Renamed AutoIt Execution
Detects the execution of a renamed AutoIt2.exe or AutoIt3.exe.
AutoIt is a scripting language and automation tool for Windows systems. While primarily used for legitimate automation tasks, it can be misused in cyber attacks.
Attackers can leverage AutoIt to create and distribute malware, including keyloggers, spyware, and botnets. A renamed AutoIt executable is particularly suspicious.
status test
author Florian Roth (Nextron Systems)
id f4264e47-f522-4c38-a420-04525d5b880f
license Sigma · DRL-1.1
view Sigma YAML
title: Renamed AutoIt Execution
id: f4264e47-f522-4c38-a420-04525d5b880f
status: test
description: |
Detects the execution of a renamed AutoIt2.exe or AutoIt3.exe.
AutoIt is a scripting language and automation tool for Windows systems. While primarily used for legitimate automation tasks, it can be misused in cyber attacks.
Attackers can leverage AutoIt to create and distribute malware, including keyloggers, spyware, and botnets. A renamed AutoIt executable is particularly suspicious.
references:
- https://twitter.com/malmoeb/status/1665463817130725378?s=12&t=C0_T_re0wRP_NfKa27Xw9w
- https://www.autoitscript.com/site/
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems)
date: 2023-06-04
modified: 2024-11-23
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1027
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection_1:
CommandLine|contains:
- ' /AutoIt3ExecuteScript'
- ' /ErrorStdOut'
selection_2:
Hashes|contains:
- 'IMPHASH=FDC554B3A8683918D731685855683DDF' # AutoIt v2 - doesn't cover all binaries
- 'IMPHASH=CD30A61B60B3D60CECDB034C8C83C290' # AutoIt v2 - doesn't cover all binaries
- 'IMPHASH=F8A00C72F2D667D2EDBB234D0C0AE000' # AutoIt v3 - doesn't cover all binaries
selection_3:
OriginalFileName:
- 'AutoIt3.exe'
- 'AutoIt2.exe'
- 'AutoIt.exe'
filter_main_legit_name:
Image|endswith:
- '\AutoIt.exe'
- '\AutoIt2.exe'
- '\AutoIt3_x64.exe'
- '\AutoIt3.exe'
condition: 1 of selection_* and not 1 of filter_main_*
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
related
high
Potential PowerShell Obfuscation Via Reversed Commands
Detects the presence of reversed PowerShell commands in the CommandLine. This is often used as a method of obfuscation by attackers
status test
author Teymur Kheirkhabarov (idea), Vasiliy Burov (rule), oscd.community, Tim Shelton
id b6b49cd1-34d6-4ead-b1bf-176e9edba9a4
license Sigma · DRL-1.1
view Sigma YAML
title: Potential PowerShell Obfuscation Via Reversed Commands
id: b6b49cd1-34d6-4ead-b1bf-176e9edba9a4
status: test
description: Detects the presence of reversed PowerShell commands in the CommandLine. This is often used as a method of obfuscation by attackers
references:
- https://2019.offzone.moscow/ru/report/hunting-for-powershell-abuses/
- https://speakerdeck.com/heirhabarov/hunting-for-powershell-abuse?slide=66
author: Teymur Kheirkhabarov (idea), Vasiliy Burov (rule), oscd.community, Tim Shelton
date: 2020-10-11
modified: 2023-05-31
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1027
- attack.execution
- attack.t1059.001
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection_img:
- Image|endswith:
- '\powershell.exe'
- '\pwsh.exe'
- OriginalFileName:
- 'PowerShell.EXE'
- 'pwsh.dll'
selection_cli:
CommandLine|contains:
- 'hctac'
- 'kaerb'
- 'dnammoc'
- 'ekovn' # Also covers 'ekovni'
- 'eliFd'
- 'rahc'
- 'etirw'
- 'golon'
- 'tninon'
- 'eddih'
- 'tpircS'
- 'ssecorp'
- 'llehsrewop'
- 'esnopser'
- 'daolnwod'
- 'tneilCbeW'
- 'tneilc'
- 'ptth'
- 'elifotevas'
- '46esab'
- 'htaPpmeTteG'
- 'tcejbO'
- 'maerts'
- 'hcaerof'
- 'retupmoc'
filter_main_encoded_keyword:
# We exclude usage of encoded commands as they might generate FPs as shown here:
# https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/pull/2720
# https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/issues/4270
CommandLine|contains:
- ' -EncodedCommand '
- ' -enc '
condition: all of selection_* and not 1 of filter_main_*
falsepositives:
- Unlikely
level: high
related
high
PowerShell Base64 Encoded Invoke Keyword
Detects UTF-8 and UTF-16 Base64 encoded powershell 'Invoke-' calls
status test
author pH-T (Nextron Systems), Harjot Singh, @cyb3rjy0t
id 6385697e-9f1b-40bd-8817-f4a91f40508e
license Sigma · DRL-1.1
view Sigma YAML
title: PowerShell Base64 Encoded Invoke Keyword
id: 6385697e-9f1b-40bd-8817-f4a91f40508e
related:
- id: fd6e2919-3936-40c9-99db-0aa922c356f7
type: obsolete
status: test
description: Detects UTF-8 and UTF-16 Base64 encoded powershell 'Invoke-' calls
references:
- https://thedfirreport.com/2022/05/09/seo-poisoning-a-gootloader-story/
author: pH-T (Nextron Systems), Harjot Singh, @cyb3rjy0t
date: 2022-05-20
modified: 2023-04-06
tags:
- attack.execution
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1059.001
- attack.t1027
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection_img:
- Image|endswith:
- '\powershell.exe'
- '\pwsh.exe'
- OriginalFileName:
- 'PowerShell.EXE'
- 'pwsh.dll'
selection_cli_enc:
CommandLine|contains: ' -e'
selection_cli_invoke:
CommandLine|contains:
# Invoke-
# UTF-16LE
- 'SQBuAHYAbwBrAGUALQ'
- 'kAbgB2AG8AawBlAC0A'
- 'JAG4AdgBvAGsAZQAtA'
# UTF-8
- 'SW52b2tlL'
- 'ludm9rZS'
- 'JbnZva2Ut'
condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
related
high
Invoke-Obfuscation STDIN+ Launcher
Detects Obfuscated use of stdin to execute PowerShell
status test
author Jonathan Cheong, oscd.community
id 6c96fc76-0eb1-11eb-adc1-0242ac120002
license Sigma · DRL-1.1
view Sigma YAML
title: Invoke-Obfuscation STDIN+ Launcher
id: 6c96fc76-0eb1-11eb-adc1-0242ac120002
status: test
description: Detects Obfuscated use of stdin to execute PowerShell
references:
- https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/issues/1009 # (Task 25)
author: Jonathan Cheong, oscd.community
date: 2020-10-15
modified: 2024-04-15
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1027
- attack.execution
- attack.t1059.001
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection:
# Example 1: c:\windows\sYstEm32\CmD.eXE /C"echO\Invoke-Expression (New-Object Net.WebClient).DownloadString | POwersHELl -NoEXiT -"
# Example 2: c:\WiNDOws\sysTEm32\cmd.EXe /C " ECHo Invoke-Expression (New-Object Net.WebClient).DownloadString | POwersHELl -nol ${EXEcUtIONCONTeXT}.INvOkEComMANd.InvOKEScRIPt( $InpUt )"
CommandLine|re: 'cmd.{0,5}(?:/c|/r).+powershell.+(?:\$\{?input\}?|noexit).+\"'
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
related
high
Invoke-Obfuscation CLIP+ Launcher
Detects Obfuscated use of Clip.exe to execute PowerShell
status test
author Jonathan Cheong, oscd.community
id b222df08-0e07-11eb-adc1-0242ac120002
license Sigma · DRL-1.1
view Sigma YAML
title: Invoke-Obfuscation CLIP+ Launcher
id: b222df08-0e07-11eb-adc1-0242ac120002
status: test
description: Detects Obfuscated use of Clip.exe to execute PowerShell
references:
- https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/issues/1009 # (Task 26)
author: Jonathan Cheong, oscd.community
date: 2020-10-13
modified: 2022-11-17
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1027
- attack.execution
- attack.t1059.001
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection:
# CommandLine|re: 'cmd.{0,5}(?:\/c|\/r).+clip(?:\.exe)?.{0,4}&&.+clipboard]::\(\s\\\"\{\d\}.+\-f.+\"'
# Example 1: Cmd /c" echo/Invoke-Expression (New-Object Net.WebClient).DownloadString |cLiP&& POWerSheLl -Nolog -sT . (\"{1}{2}{0}\"-f'pe','Ad',(\"{1}{0}\" -f'Ty','d-' ) ) -Assemb ( \"{5}{1}{3}{0}{2}{4}\" -f'ows','y','.F',(\"{0}{1}{2}\" -f'stem.W','i','nd'),( \"{0}{1}\"-f 'o','rms' ),'S' ) ; ([SySTEM.wiNDows.FoRmS.CLiPbOArd]::( \"{1}{0}\" -f (\"{1}{0}\" -f'T','TTeX' ),'gE' ).\"invO`Ke\"( ) ) ^| ^&( \"{5}{1}{2}{4}{3}{0}\" -f 'n',( \"{1}{0}\"-f'KE-','o' ),(\"{2}{1}{0}\"-f 'pRESS','x','e' ),'o','i','iNV') ; [System.Windows.Forms.Clipboard]::(\"{0}{1}\" -f( \"{1}{0}\"-f'e','SetT' ),'xt').\"InV`oKe\"( ' ')"
# Example 2: CMD/c " ECho Invoke-Expression (New-Object Net.WebClient).DownloadString|c:\WiNDowS\SySteM32\cLip && powershElL -noPRO -sTa ^& (\"{2}{0}{1}\" -f 'dd',(\"{1}{0}\"-f 'ype','-T' ),'A' ) -AssemblyN (\"{0}{3}{2}{1}{4}\"-f'Pr','nCo',(\"{0}{1}\"-f'e','ntatio'),'es','re' ) ; ^& ( ( [StRinG]${ve`RB`OSE`pr`e`FeReNCE} )[1,3] + 'x'-JoiN'') ( ( [sySTem.WInDOWs.ClipbOaRD]::( \"{1}{0}\" -f(\"{0}{1}\" -f'tTe','xt' ),'ge' ).\"IN`Vo`Ke\"( ) ) ) ; [System.Windows.Clipboard]::( \"{2}{1}{0}\" -f't',( \"{0}{1}\" -f 'tT','ex' ),'Se' ).\"In`V`oKe\"( ' ' )"
CommandLine|contains|all:
- 'cmd'
- '&&'
- 'clipboard]::'
- '-f'
CommandLine|contains:
- '/c'
- '/r'
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
related
high
Suspicious File Downloaded From File-Sharing Website Via Certutil.EXE
Detects the execution of certutil with certain flags that allow the utility to download files from file-sharing websites.
status test
author Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
id 42a5f1e7-9603-4f6d-97ae-3f37d130d794
license Sigma · DRL-1.1
view Sigma YAML
title: Suspicious File Downloaded From File-Sharing Website Via Certutil.EXE
id: 42a5f1e7-9603-4f6d-97ae-3f37d130d794
related:
- id: 19b08b1c-861d-4e75-a1ef-ea0c1baf202b # Direct IP download
type: similar
- id: 13e6fe51-d478-4c7e-b0f2-6da9b400a829 # Generic download
type: similar
status: test
description: Detects the execution of certutil with certain flags that allow the utility to download files from file-sharing websites.
references:
- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/certutil
- https://forensicitguy.github.io/agenttesla-vba-certutil-download/
- https://news.sophos.com/en-us/2021/04/13/compromised-exchange-server-hosting-cryptojacker-targeting-other-exchange-servers/
- https://twitter.com/egre55/status/1087685529016193025
- https://lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/Binaries/Certutil/
- https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2024/01/17/new-ttps-observed-in-mint-sandstorm-campaign-targeting-high-profile-individuals-at-universities-and-research-orgs/
- https://www.hexacorn.com/blog/2020/08/23/certutil-one-more-gui-lolbin
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2023-02-15
modified: 2025-12-10
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1027
- attack.command-and-control
- attack.t1105
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection_img:
- Image|endswith: '\certutil.exe'
- OriginalFileName: 'CertUtil.exe'
selection_flags:
CommandLine|contains:
- 'urlcache '
- 'verifyctl '
- 'URL '
selection_http:
CommandLine|contains:
- '.githubusercontent.com' # Includes both gists and github repositories / Michael Haag (idea)
- 'anonfiles.com'
- 'cdn.discordapp.com'
- 'ddns.net'
- 'dl.dropboxusercontent.com'
- 'ghostbin.co'
- 'github.com'
- 'glitch.me'
- 'gofile.io'
- 'hastebin.com'
- 'mediafire.com'
- 'mega.nz'
- 'onrender.com'
- 'pages.dev'
- 'paste.ee'
- 'pastebin.com'
- 'pastebin.pl'
- 'pastetext.net'
- 'privatlab.com'
- 'privatlab.net'
- 'send.exploit.in'
- 'sendspace.com'
- 'storage.googleapis.com'
- 'storjshare.io'
- 'supabase.co'
- 'temp.sh'
- 'transfer.sh'
- 'trycloudflare.com'
- 'ufile.io'
- 'w3spaces.com'
- 'workers.dev'
condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
regression_tests_path: regression_data/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_certutil_download_file_sharing_domains/info.yml
related
high
Suspicious SYSTEM User Process Creation
Detects a suspicious process creation as SYSTEM user (suspicious program or command line parameter)
status test
author Florian Roth (Nextron Systems), David ANDRE (additional keywords)
id 2617e7ed-adb7-40ba-b0f3-8f9945fe6c09
license Sigma · DRL-1.1
view Sigma YAML
title: Suspicious SYSTEM User Process Creation
id: 2617e7ed-adb7-40ba-b0f3-8f9945fe6c09
status: test
description: Detects a suspicious process creation as SYSTEM user (suspicious program or command line parameter)
references:
- Internal Research
- https://tools.thehacker.recipes/mimikatz/modules
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems), David ANDRE (additional keywords)
date: 2021-12-20
modified: 2025-10-19
tags:
- attack.credential-access
- attack.privilege-escalation
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1134
- attack.t1003
- attack.t1027
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection:
IntegrityLevel:
- 'System'
- 'S-1-16-16384'
User|contains: # covers many language settings
- 'AUTHORI'
- 'AUTORI'
selection_special:
- Image|endswith:
- '\calc.exe'
- '\cscript.exe'
- '\forfiles.exe'
- '\hh.exe'
- '\mshta.exe'
- '\ping.exe'
- '\wscript.exe'
- CommandLine|re: 'net\s+user\s+'
- CommandLine|contains:
# - 'sc stop ' # stops a system service # causes FPs
- ' -NoP ' # Often used in malicious PowerShell commands
- ' -W Hidden ' # Often used in malicious PowerShell commands
- ' -decode ' # Used with certutil
- ' /decode ' # Used with certutil
- ' /urlcache ' # Used with certutil
- ' -urlcache ' # Used with certutil
- ' -e* JAB' # PowerShell encoded commands
- ' -e* SUVYI' # PowerShell encoded commands
- ' -e* SQBFAFgA' # PowerShell encoded commands
- ' -e* aWV4I' # PowerShell encoded commands
- ' -e* IAB' # PowerShell encoded commands
- ' -e* PAA' # PowerShell encoded commands
- ' -e* aQBlAHgA' # PowerShell encoded commands
- 'vssadmin delete shadows' # Ransomware
- 'reg SAVE HKLM' # save registry SAM - syskey extraction
- ' -ma ' # ProcDump
- 'Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run' # Run key in command line - often in combination with REG ADD
- '.downloadstring(' # PowerShell download command
- '.downloadfile(' # PowerShell download command
- ' /ticket:' # Rubeus
- 'dpapi::' # Mimikatz
- 'event::clear' # Mimikatz
- 'event::drop' # Mimikatz
- 'id::modify' # Mimikatz
- 'kerberos::' # Mimikatz
- 'lsadump::' # Mimikatz
- 'misc::' # Mimikatz
- 'privilege::' # Mimikatz
- 'rpc::' # Mimikatz
- 'sekurlsa::' # Mimikatz
- 'sid::' # Mimikatz
- 'token::' # Mimikatz
- 'vault::cred' # Mimikatz
- 'vault::list' # Mimikatz
- ' p::d ' # Mimikatz
- ';iex(' # PowerShell IEX
- 'MiniDump' # Process dumping method apart from procdump
filter_main_ping:
CommandLine|contains|all:
- 'ping'
- '127.0.0.1'
- ' -n '
filter_vs:
Image|endswith: '\PING.EXE'
ParentCommandLine|contains: '\DismFoDInstall.cmd'
filter_config_mgr:
ParentImage|contains: ':\Packages\Plugins\Microsoft.GuestConfiguration.ConfigurationforWindows\'
filter_java:
ParentImage|contains:
- ':\Program Files (x86)\Java\'
- ':\Program Files\Java\'
ParentImage|endswith: '\bin\javaws.exe'
Image|contains:
- ':\Program Files (x86)\Java\'
- ':\Program Files\Java\'
Image|endswith: '\bin\jp2launcher.exe'
CommandLine|contains: ' -ma '
condition: all of selection* and not 1 of filter_*
falsepositives:
- Administrative activity
- Scripts and administrative tools used in the monitored environment
- Monitoring activity
level: high
related
high
Potential CommandLine Obfuscation Using Unicode Characters From Suspicious Image
Detects potential commandline obfuscation using unicode characters.
Adversaries may attempt to make an executable or file difficult to discover or analyze by encrypting, encoding, or otherwise obfuscating its contents on the system or in transit.
status test
author frack113, Florian Roth (Nextron Systems), Josh Nickels
id 584bca0f-3608-4402-80fd-4075ff6072e3
license Sigma · DRL-1.1
view Sigma YAML
title: Potential CommandLine Obfuscation Using Unicode Characters From Suspicious Image
id: 584bca0f-3608-4402-80fd-4075ff6072e3
related:
- id: e0552b19-5a83-4222-b141-b36184bb8d79
type: similar
- id: ad691d92-15f2-4181-9aa4-723c74f9ddc3 # RTLO
type: similar
- id: 2c0d2d7b-30d6-4d14-9751-7b9113042ab9
type: obsolete
status: test
description: |
Detects potential commandline obfuscation using unicode characters.
Adversaries may attempt to make an executable or file difficult to discover or analyze by encrypting, encoding, or otherwise obfuscating its contents on the system or in transit.
references:
- https://www.wietzebeukema.nl/blog/windows-command-line-obfuscation
- https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1027/T1027.md#atomic-test-6---dlp-evasion-via-sensitive-data-in-vba-macro-over-http
author: frack113, Florian Roth (Nextron Systems), Josh Nickels
date: 2024-09-02
modified: 2025-05-30
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1027
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection_img:
Image|endswith:
- '\cmd.exe'
- '\cscript.exe'
- '\powershell.exe'
- '\powershell_ise.exe'
- '\pwsh.exe'
- '\wscript.exe'
OriginalFileName:
- 'Cmd.EXE'
- 'cscript.exe'
- 'PowerShell.EXE'
- 'PowerShell_ISE.EXE'
- 'pwsh.dll'
- 'wscript.exe'
selection_special_chars:
CommandLine|contains:
# spacing modifier letters that get auto-replaced
- 'ˣ' # 0x02E3
- '˪' # 0x02EA
- 'ˢ' # 0x02E2
# Forward slash alternatives
- '∕' # 0x22FF
- '⁄' # 0x206F
# Hyphen alternatives
- '―' # 0x2015
- '—' # 0x2014
# Whitespace that don't work as path separator
- ' ' # 0x00A0
# Other
- '¯'
- '®'
- '¶'
# Unicode whitespace characters
- '⠀' # Braille Pattern Blank (Unicode: U+2800)
condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
related
high
Invoke-Obfuscation VAR++ LAUNCHER OBFUSCATION - Security
Detects Obfuscated Powershell via VAR++ LAUNCHER
status test
author Timur Zinniatullin, oscd.community
id 4c54ba8f-73d2-4d40-8890-d9cf1dca3d30
license Sigma · DRL-1.1
view Sigma YAML
title: Invoke-Obfuscation VAR++ LAUNCHER OBFUSCATION - Security
id: 4c54ba8f-73d2-4d40-8890-d9cf1dca3d30
related:
- id: 14bcba49-a428-42d9-b943-e2ce0f0f7ae6
type: derived
status: test
description: Detects Obfuscated Powershell via VAR++ LAUNCHER
references:
- https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/issues/1009 # (Task27)
author: Timur Zinniatullin, oscd.community
date: 2020-10-13
modified: 2022-11-29
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1027
- attack.execution
- attack.t1059.001
logsource:
product: windows
service: security
definition: The 'System Security Extension' audit subcategory need to be enabled to log the EID 4697
detection:
selection:
EventID: 4697
# ServiceFileName|re: '(?i)&&set.*(\{\d\}){2,}\\\"\s+?\-f.*&&.*cmd.*\/c' # FPs with |\/r
# Example 1: CMD /C"sET KUR=Invoke-Expression (New-Object Net.WebClient).DownloadString&&Set MxI=C:\wINDowS\sYsWow64\winDOWspoWERSheLl\V1.0\PowerShelL.EXe ${ExEcut`IoN`cON`TExT}.\"invo`kEcoMm`A`ND\".( \"{2}{1}{0}\" -f 'pt','EscRi','INvOk' ).Invoke( ( .( \"{0}{1}\" -f'D','IR' ) ( \"{0}{1}\"-f'ENV:kU','R')).\"vAl`Ue\" )&& CMD /C%mXI%"
# Example 2: c:\WiNDOWS\sYSTEm32\CmD.exE /C "sEt DeJLz=Invoke-Expression (New-Object Net.WebClient).DownloadString&&set yBKM=PoWERShelL -noeX ^^^&(\"{2}{0}{1}\"-f '-ItE','m','seT') ( 'V' + 'a'+ 'RiAblE:z8J' +'U2' + 'l' ) ([TYpE]( \"{2}{3}{0}{1}\"-f 'e','NT','e','NViRONM' ) ) ; ^^^& ( ( [sTrIng]${VE`Rbo`SepReFER`Ence})[1,3] + 'X'-joIN'')( ( (.('gI') ('V' + 'a' + 'RIAbLe:z8j' + 'u2' +'l' ) ).vALUe::( \"{2}{5}{0}{1}{6}{4}{3}\" -f 'IRo','Nm','GETE','ABlE','I','nv','enTVAr').Invoke(( \"{0}{1}\"-f'd','ejLz' ),( \"{1}{2}{0}\"-f'cEss','P','RO') )) )&& c:\WiNDOWS\sYSTEm32\CmD.exE /C %ybkm%"
ServiceFileName|contains|all:
- '&&set'
- 'cmd'
- '/c'
- '-f'
ServiceFileName|contains:
- '{0}'
- '{1}'
- '{2}'
- '{3}'
- '{4}'
- '{5}'
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
related
high
Password Protected ZIP File Opened (Suspicious Filenames)
Detects the extraction of password protected ZIP archives with suspicious file names. See the filename variable for more details on which file has been opened.
status test
author Florian Roth (Nextron Systems)
id 54f0434b-726f-48a1-b2aa-067df14516e4
license Sigma · DRL-1.1
view Sigma YAML
title: Password Protected ZIP File Opened (Suspicious Filenames)
id: 54f0434b-726f-48a1-b2aa-067df14516e4
status: test
description: Detects the extraction of password protected ZIP archives with suspicious file names. See the filename variable for more details on which file has been opened.
references:
- https://twitter.com/sbousseaden/status/1523383197513379841
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems)
date: 2022-05-09
tags:
- attack.command-and-control
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1027
- attack.t1105
- attack.t1036
logsource:
product: windows
service: security
detection:
selection:
EventID: 5379
TargetName|contains: 'Microsoft_Windows_Shell_ZipFolder:filename'
selection_filename:
TargetName|contains:
- 'invoice'
- 'new order'
- 'rechnung'
- 'factura'
- 'delivery'
- 'purchase'
- 'order'
- 'payment'
condition: selection and selection_filename
falsepositives:
- Legitimate used of encrypted ZIP files
level: high
related
high
Invoke-Obfuscation Via Use Clip - Security
Detects Obfuscated Powershell via use Clip.exe in Scripts
status test
author Nikita Nazarov, oscd.community
id 1a0a2ff1-611b-4dac-8216-8a7b47c618a6
license Sigma · DRL-1.1
view Sigma YAML
title: Invoke-Obfuscation Via Use Clip - Security
id: 1a0a2ff1-611b-4dac-8216-8a7b47c618a6
related:
- id: 63e3365d-4824-42d8-8b82-e56810fefa0c
type: derived
status: test
description: Detects Obfuscated Powershell via use Clip.exe in Scripts
references:
- https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/issues/1009 # (Task29)
author: Nikita Nazarov, oscd.community
date: 2020-10-09
modified: 2022-11-29
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1027
- attack.execution
- attack.t1059.001
logsource:
product: windows
service: security
definition: The 'System Security Extension' audit subcategory need to be enabled to log the EID 4697
detection:
selection:
EventID: 4697
ServiceFileName|contains: '(Clipboard|i'
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
related
high
Invoke-Obfuscation Via Stdin - Security
Detects Obfuscated Powershell via Stdin in Scripts
status test
author Nikita Nazarov, oscd.community
id 80b708f3-d034-40e4-a6c8-d23b7a7db3d1
license Sigma · DRL-1.1
view Sigma YAML
title: Invoke-Obfuscation Via Stdin - Security
id: 80b708f3-d034-40e4-a6c8-d23b7a7db3d1
related:
- id: 487c7524-f892-4054-b263-8a0ace63fc25
type: derived
status: test
description: Detects Obfuscated Powershell via Stdin in Scripts
references:
- https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/issues/1009 # (Task28)
author: Nikita Nazarov, oscd.community
date: 2020-10-12
modified: 2022-11-29
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1027
- attack.execution
- attack.t1059.001
logsource:
product: windows
service: security
definition: The 'System Security Extension' audit subcategory need to be enabled to log the EID 4697
detection:
selection:
EventID: 4697
ServiceFileName|contains|all:
- 'set'
- '&&'
ServiceFileName|contains:
- 'environment'
- 'invoke'
- '${input)'
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
related
high
Invoke-Obfuscation Obfuscated IEX Invocation - Security
Detects all variations of obfuscated powershell IEX invocation code generated by Invoke-Obfuscation framework from the code block linked in the references
status test
author Daniel Bohannon (@Mandiant/@FireEye), oscd.community
id fd0f5778-d3cb-4c9a-9695-66759d04702a
license Sigma · DRL-1.1
view Sigma YAML
title: Invoke-Obfuscation Obfuscated IEX Invocation - Security
id: fd0f5778-d3cb-4c9a-9695-66759d04702a
related:
- id: 51aa9387-1c53-4153-91cc-d73c59ae1ca9
type: derived
status: test
description: Detects all variations of obfuscated powershell IEX invocation code generated by Invoke-Obfuscation framework from the code block linked in the references
references:
- https://github.com/danielbohannon/Invoke-Obfuscation/blob/f20e7f843edd0a3a7716736e9eddfa423395dd26/Out-ObfuscatedStringCommand.ps1#L873-L888
author: Daniel Bohannon (@Mandiant/@FireEye), oscd.community
date: 2019-11-08
modified: 2022-11-27
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1027
logsource:
product: windows
service: security
definition: The 'System Security Extension' audit subcategory need to be enabled to log the EID 4697
detection:
selection_eid:
EventID: 4697
selection_servicefilename:
- ServiceFileName|re: '\$PSHome\[\s*\d{1,3}\s*\]\s*\+\s*\$PSHome\['
- ServiceFileName|re: '\$ShellId\[\s*\d{1,3}\s*\]\s*\+\s*\$ShellId\['
- ServiceFileName|re: '\$env:Public\[\s*\d{1,3}\s*\]\s*\+\s*\$env:Public\['
- ServiceFileName|re: '\$env:ComSpec\[(\s*\d{1,3}\s*,){2}'
- ServiceFileName|re: '\\*mdr\*\W\s*\)\.Name'
- ServiceFileName|re: '\$VerbosePreference\.ToString\('
- ServiceFileName|re: '\String\]\s*\$VerbosePreference'
condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
related
high
Invoke-Obfuscation Via Use Rundll32 - Security
Detects Obfuscated Powershell via use Rundll32 in Scripts
status test
author Nikita Nazarov, oscd.community
id cd0f7229-d16f-42de-8fe3-fba365fbcb3a
license Sigma · DRL-1.1
view Sigma YAML
title: Invoke-Obfuscation Via Use Rundll32 - Security
id: cd0f7229-d16f-42de-8fe3-fba365fbcb3a
related:
- id: 641a4bfb-c017-44f7-800c-2aee0184ce9b
type: derived
status: test
description: Detects Obfuscated Powershell via use Rundll32 in Scripts
references:
- https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/issues/1009 # (Task30)
author: Nikita Nazarov, oscd.community
date: 2020-10-09
modified: 2022-11-29
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1027
- attack.execution
- attack.t1059.001
logsource:
product: windows
service: security
definition: The 'System Security Extension' audit subcategory need to be enabled to log the EID 4697
detection:
selection:
EventID: 4697
ServiceFileName|contains|all:
- '&&'
- 'rundll32'
- 'shell32.dll'
- 'shellexec_rundll'
ServiceFileName|contains:
- value
- invoke
- comspec
- iex
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
related
high
Invoke-Obfuscation STDIN+ Launcher - Security
Detects Obfuscated use of stdin to execute PowerShell
status test
author Jonathan Cheong, oscd.community
id 0c718a5e-4284-4fb9-b4d9-b9a50b3a1974
license Sigma · DRL-1.1
view Sigma YAML
title: Invoke-Obfuscation STDIN+ Launcher - Security
id: 0c718a5e-4284-4fb9-b4d9-b9a50b3a1974
related:
- id: 72862bf2-0eb1-11eb-adc1-0242ac120002
type: derived
status: test
description: Detects Obfuscated use of stdin to execute PowerShell
references:
- https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/issues/1009 # (Task 25)
author: Jonathan Cheong, oscd.community
date: 2020-10-15
modified: 2022-11-29
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1027
- attack.execution
- attack.t1059.001
logsource:
product: windows
service: security
definition: The 'System Security Extension' audit subcategory need to be enabled to log the EID 4697
detection:
selection:
EventID: 4697
ServiceFileName|contains|all:
- 'cmd'
- 'powershell'
selection2:
ServiceFileName|contains:
- '${input}'
- 'noexit'
selection3:
ServiceFileName|contains:
- ' /c '
- ' /r '
condition: all of selection*
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
related
high
Password Protected ZIP File Opened (Email Attachment)
Detects the extraction of password protected ZIP archives. See the filename variable for more details on which file has been opened.
status test
author Florian Roth (Nextron Systems)
id 571498c8-908e-40b4-910b-d2369159a3da
license Sigma · DRL-1.1
view Sigma YAML
title: Password Protected ZIP File Opened (Email Attachment)
id: 571498c8-908e-40b4-910b-d2369159a3da
status: test
description: Detects the extraction of password protected ZIP archives. See the filename variable for more details on which file has been opened.
references:
- https://twitter.com/sbousseaden/status/1523383197513379841
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems)
date: 2022-05-09
tags:
- attack.initial-access
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1027
- attack.t1566.001
logsource:
product: windows
service: security
detection:
selection:
EventID: 5379
TargetName|contains|all:
- 'Microsoft_Windows_Shell_ZipFolder:filename'
- '\Temporary Internet Files\Content.Outlook'
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Legitimate used of encrypted ZIP files
level: high
related
high
Invoke-Obfuscation VAR+ Launcher - Security
Detects Obfuscated use of Environment Variables to execute PowerShell
status test
author Jonathan Cheong, oscd.community
id dcf2db1f-f091-425b-a821-c05875b8925a
license Sigma · DRL-1.1
view Sigma YAML
title: Invoke-Obfuscation VAR+ Launcher - Security
id: dcf2db1f-f091-425b-a821-c05875b8925a
related:
- id: 8ca7004b-e620-4ecb-870e-86129b5b8e75
type: derived
status: test
description: Detects Obfuscated use of Environment Variables to execute PowerShell
references:
- https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/issues/1009 # (Task 24)
author: Jonathan Cheong, oscd.community
date: 2020-10-15
modified: 2022-11-29
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1027
- attack.execution
- attack.t1059.001
logsource:
product: windows
service: security
definition: The 'System Security Extension' audit subcategory need to be enabled to log the EID 4697
detection:
selection:
EventID: 4697
# ServiceFileName|re: 'cmd.{0,5}(?:\/c|\/r)(?:\s|)\"set\s[a-zA-Z]{3,6}.*(?:\{\d\}){1,}\\\"\s+?\-f(?:.*\)){1,}.*\"'
# Example 1: C:\winDoWs\SySTeM32\cmd.Exe /C"SET NOtI=Invoke-Expression (New-Object Net.WebClient).DownloadString&& PowERshElL -NOl SET-iteM ( 'VAR' + 'i'+ 'A' + 'blE:Ao6' + 'I0') ( [TYpe](\"{2}{3}{0}{1}\"-F 'iRoN','mENT','e','nv') ) ; ${exECUtIONCOnTEXT}.\"IN`VO`KecOmMaND\".\"inVo`KES`crIPt\"( ( ( GEt-VAriAble ( 'a' + 'o6I0') -vaLU )::(\"{1}{4}{2}{3}{0}\" -f'e','gETenvIR','NtvaRIa','BL','ONme' ).Invoke(( \"{0}{1}\"-f'n','oti' ),( \"{0}{1}\" -f'pRoC','esS') )) )"
# Example 2: cMD.exe /C "seT SlDb=Invoke-Expression (New-Object Net.WebClient).DownloadString&& pOWErShell .(( ^&(\"{1}{0}{2}{3}\" -f 'eT-vaR','G','iab','lE' ) (\"{0}{1}\" -f '*m','DR*' ) ).\"na`ME\"[3,11,2]-JOIN'' ) ( ( ^&(\"{0}{1}\" -f'g','CI' ) (\"{0}{1}\" -f 'ENV',':SlDb' ) ).\"VA`luE\" ) "
ServiceFileName|contains|all:
- 'cmd'
- '"set'
- '-f'
ServiceFileName|contains:
- '/c'
- '/r'
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
related
high
Invoke-Obfuscation CLIP+ Launcher - Security
Detects Obfuscated use of Clip.exe to execute PowerShell
status test
author Jonathan Cheong, oscd.community
id 4edf51e1-cb83-4e1a-bc39-800e396068e3
license Sigma · DRL-1.1
view Sigma YAML
title: Invoke-Obfuscation CLIP+ Launcher - Security
id: 4edf51e1-cb83-4e1a-bc39-800e396068e3
related:
- id: f7385ee2-0e0c-11eb-adc1-0242ac120002
type: derived
status: test
description: Detects Obfuscated use of Clip.exe to execute PowerShell
references:
- https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/issues/1009 # (Task 26)
author: Jonathan Cheong, oscd.community
date: 2020-10-13
modified: 2022-11-27
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1027
- attack.execution
- attack.t1059.001
logsource:
product: windows
service: security
definition: The 'System Security Extension' audit subcategory need to be enabled to log the EID 4697
detection:
selection:
EventID: 4697
ServiceFileName|contains|all:
- 'cmd'
- '&&'
- 'clipboard]::'
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
related
high
Invoke-Obfuscation Via Use MSHTA - Security
Detects Obfuscated Powershell via use MSHTA in Scripts
status test
author Nikita Nazarov, oscd.community
id 9b8d9203-4e0f-4cd9-bb06-4cc4ea6d0e9a
license Sigma · DRL-1.1
view Sigma YAML
title: Invoke-Obfuscation Via Use MSHTA - Security
id: 9b8d9203-4e0f-4cd9-bb06-4cc4ea6d0e9a
related:
- id: 7e9c7999-0f9b-4d4a-a6ed-af6d553d4af4
type: derived
status: test
description: Detects Obfuscated Powershell via use MSHTA in Scripts
references:
- https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/issues/1009 # (Task31)
author: Nikita Nazarov, oscd.community
date: 2020-10-09
modified: 2022-11-29
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1027
- attack.execution
- attack.t1059.001
logsource:
product: windows
service: security
definition: The 'System Security Extension' audit subcategory need to be enabled to log the EID 4697
detection:
selection:
EventID: 4697
ServiceFileName|contains|all:
- 'mshta'
- 'vbscript:createobject'
- '.run'
- 'window.close'
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
related
high
Invoke-Obfuscation CLIP+ Launcher - System
Detects Obfuscated use of Clip.exe to execute PowerShell
status test
author Jonathan Cheong, oscd.community
id f7385ee2-0e0c-11eb-adc1-0242ac120002
license Sigma · DRL-1.1
view Sigma YAML
title: Invoke-Obfuscation CLIP+ Launcher - System
id: f7385ee2-0e0c-11eb-adc1-0242ac120002
status: test
description: Detects Obfuscated use of Clip.exe to execute PowerShell
references:
- https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/issues/1009 # (Task 26)
author: Jonathan Cheong, oscd.community
date: 2020-10-13
modified: 2023-02-20
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1027
- attack.execution
- attack.t1059.001
logsource:
product: windows
service: system
detection:
selection:
Provider_Name: 'Service Control Manager'
EventID: 7045
ImagePath|contains|all:
- 'cmd'
- '&&'
- 'clipboard]::'
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
related
high
Invoke-Obfuscation Via Use Rundll32 - System
Detects Obfuscated Powershell via use Rundll32 in Scripts
status test
author Nikita Nazarov, oscd.community
id 641a4bfb-c017-44f7-800c-2aee0184ce9b
license Sigma · DRL-1.1
view Sigma YAML
title: Invoke-Obfuscation Via Use Rundll32 - System
id: 641a4bfb-c017-44f7-800c-2aee0184ce9b
status: test
description: Detects Obfuscated Powershell via use Rundll32 in Scripts
references:
- https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/issues/1009 # (Task30)
author: Nikita Nazarov, oscd.community
date: 2020-10-09
modified: 2022-11-29
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1027
- attack.execution
- attack.t1059.001
logsource:
product: windows
service: system
detection:
selection:
Provider_Name: 'Service Control Manager'
EventID: 7045
ImagePath|contains|all:
- '&&'
- 'rundll32'
- 'shell32.dll'
- 'shellexec_rundll'
ImagePath|contains:
- 'value'
- 'invoke'
- 'comspec'
- 'iex'
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
related
high
Invoke-Obfuscation Via Stdin - System
Detects Obfuscated Powershell via Stdin in Scripts
status test
author Nikita Nazarov, oscd.community
id 487c7524-f892-4054-b263-8a0ace63fc25
license Sigma · DRL-1.1
view Sigma YAML
title: Invoke-Obfuscation Via Stdin - System
id: 487c7524-f892-4054-b263-8a0ace63fc25
status: test
description: Detects Obfuscated Powershell via Stdin in Scripts
references:
- https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/issues/1009 # (Task28)
author: Nikita Nazarov, oscd.community
date: 2020-10-12
modified: 2022-11-29
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1027
- attack.execution
- attack.t1059.001
logsource:
product: windows
service: system
detection:
selection:
Provider_Name: 'Service Control Manager'
EventID: 7045
# ImagePath|re: '(?i)(set).*&&\s?set.*(environment|invoke|\${?input).*&&.*"'
ImagePath|contains|all:
- 'set'
- '&&'
ImagePath|contains:
- 'environment'
- 'invoke'
- 'input'
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
related
high
Invoke-Obfuscation Via Use Clip - System
Detects Obfuscated Powershell via use Clip.exe in Scripts
status test
author Nikita Nazarov, oscd.community
id 63e3365d-4824-42d8-8b82-e56810fefa0c
license Sigma · DRL-1.1
view Sigma YAML
title: Invoke-Obfuscation Via Use Clip - System
id: 63e3365d-4824-42d8-8b82-e56810fefa0c
status: test
description: Detects Obfuscated Powershell via use Clip.exe in Scripts
references:
- https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/issues/1009 # (Task29)
author: Nikita Nazarov, oscd.community
date: 2020-10-09
modified: 2022-11-29
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1027
- attack.execution
- attack.t1059.001
logsource:
product: windows
service: system
detection:
selection:
Provider_Name: 'Service Control Manager'
EventID: 7045
ImagePath|contains: '(Clipboard|i'
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
related
high
Invoke-Obfuscation STDIN+ Launcher - System
Detects Obfuscated use of stdin to execute PowerShell
status test
author Jonathan Cheong, oscd.community
id 72862bf2-0eb1-11eb-adc1-0242ac120002
license Sigma · DRL-1.1
view Sigma YAML
title: Invoke-Obfuscation STDIN+ Launcher - System
id: 72862bf2-0eb1-11eb-adc1-0242ac120002
status: test
description: Detects Obfuscated use of stdin to execute PowerShell
references:
- https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/issues/1009 # (Task 25)
author: Jonathan Cheong, oscd.community
date: 2020-10-15
modified: 2022-11-29
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1027
- attack.execution
- attack.t1059.001
logsource:
product: windows
service: system
detection:
selection_main:
Provider_Name: 'Service Control Manager'
EventID: 7045
# ImagePath|re: 'cmd.{0,5}(?:\/c|\/r).+powershell.+(?:\$\{?input\}?|noexit).+\"'
# Example 1: c:\windows\sYstEm32\CmD.eXE /C"echO\Invoke-Expression (New-Object Net.WebClient).DownloadString | POwersHELl -NoEXiT -"
# Example 2: c:\WiNDOws\sysTEm32\cmd.EXe /C " ECHo Invoke-Expression (New-Object Net.WebClient).DownloadString | POwersHELl -nol ${EXEcUtIONCONTeXT}.INvOkEComMANd.InvOKEScRIPt( $InpUt )"
ImagePath|contains|all:
- 'cmd'
- 'powershell'
ImagePath|contains:
- '/c'
- '/r'
selection_other:
- ImagePath|contains: 'noexit'
- ImagePath|contains|all:
- 'input'
- '$'
condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
related
high
Invoke-Obfuscation Via Use MSHTA - System
Detects Obfuscated Powershell via use MSHTA in Scripts
status test
author Nikita Nazarov, oscd.community
id 7e9c7999-0f9b-4d4a-a6ed-af6d553d4af4
license Sigma · DRL-1.1
view Sigma YAML
title: Invoke-Obfuscation Via Use MSHTA - System
id: 7e9c7999-0f9b-4d4a-a6ed-af6d553d4af4
status: test
description: Detects Obfuscated Powershell via use MSHTA in Scripts
references:
- https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/issues/1009 # (Task31)
author: Nikita Nazarov, oscd.community
date: 2020-10-09
modified: 2022-11-29
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1027
- attack.execution
- attack.t1059.001
logsource:
product: windows
service: system
detection:
selection:
Provider_Name: 'Service Control Manager'
EventID: 7045
ImagePath|contains|all:
- 'mshta'
- 'vbscript:createobject'
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
related
high
Invoke-Obfuscation VAR++ LAUNCHER OBFUSCATION - System
Detects Obfuscated Powershell via VAR++ LAUNCHER
status test
author Timur Zinniatullin, oscd.community
id 14bcba49-a428-42d9-b943-e2ce0f0f7ae6
license Sigma · DRL-1.1
view Sigma YAML
title: Invoke-Obfuscation VAR++ LAUNCHER OBFUSCATION - System
id: 14bcba49-a428-42d9-b943-e2ce0f0f7ae6
status: test
description: Detects Obfuscated Powershell via VAR++ LAUNCHER
references:
- https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/issues/1009 # (Task27)
author: Timur Zinniatullin, oscd.community
date: 2020-10-13
modified: 2022-11-29
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1027
- attack.execution
- attack.t1059.001
logsource:
product: windows
service: system
detection:
selection:
Provider_Name: 'Service Control Manager'
EventID: 7045
# ImagePath|re: '(?i)&&set.*(\{\d\}){2,}\\\"\s+?\-f.*&&.*cmd.*\/c' # FPs with |\/r
# Example 1: CMD /C"sET KUR=Invoke-Expression (New-Object Net.WebClient).DownloadString&&Set MxI=C:\wINDowS\sYsWow64\winDOWspoWERSheLl\V1.0\PowerShelL.EXe ${ExEcut`IoN`cON`TExT}.\"invo`kEcoMm`A`ND\".( \"{2}{1}{0}\" -f 'pt','EscRi','INvOk' ).Invoke( ( .( \"{0}{1}\" -f'D','IR' ) ( \"{0}{1}\"-f'ENV:kU','R')).\"vAl`Ue\" )&& CMD /C%mXI%"
# Example 2: c:\WiNDOWS\sYSTEm32\CmD.exE /C "sEt DeJLz=Invoke-Expression (New-Object Net.WebClient).DownloadString&&set yBKM=PoWERShelL -noeX ^^^&(\"{2}{0}{1}\"-f '-ItE','m','seT') ( 'V' + 'a'+ 'RiAblE:z8J' +'U2' + 'l' ) ([TYpE]( \"{2}{3}{0}{1}\"-f 'e','NT','e','NViRONM' ) ) ; ^^^& ( ( [sTrIng]${VE`Rbo`SepReFER`Ence})[1,3] + 'X'-joIN'')( ( (.('gI') ('V' + 'a' + 'RIAbLe:z8j' + 'u2' +'l' ) ).vALUe::( \"{2}{5}{0}{1}{6}{4}{3}\" -f 'IRo','Nm','GETE','ABlE','I','nv','enTVAr').Invoke(( \"{0}{1}\"-f'd','ejLz' ),( \"{1}{2}{0}\"-f'cEss','P','RO') )) )&& c:\WiNDOWS\sYSTEm32\CmD.exE /C %ybkm%"
ImagePath|contains|all:
- '&&set'
- 'cmd'
- '/c'
- '-f'
ImagePath|contains:
- '{0}'
- '{1}'
- '{2}'
- '{3}'
- '{4}'
- '{5}'
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
related
high
Invoke-Obfuscation Obfuscated IEX Invocation - System
Detects all variations of obfuscated powershell IEX invocation code generated by Invoke-Obfuscation framework from the code block linked in the references
status test
author Daniel Bohannon (@Mandiant/@FireEye), oscd.community
id 51aa9387-1c53-4153-91cc-d73c59ae1ca9
license Sigma · DRL-1.1
view Sigma YAML
title: Invoke-Obfuscation Obfuscated IEX Invocation - System
id: 51aa9387-1c53-4153-91cc-d73c59ae1ca9
status: test
description: Detects all variations of obfuscated powershell IEX invocation code generated by Invoke-Obfuscation framework from the code block linked in the references
references:
- https://github.com/danielbohannon/Invoke-Obfuscation/blob/f20e7f843edd0a3a7716736e9eddfa423395dd26/Out-ObfuscatedStringCommand.ps1#L873-L888
author: Daniel Bohannon (@Mandiant/@FireEye), oscd.community
date: 2019-11-08
modified: 2022-11-27
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1027
logsource:
product: windows
service: system
detection:
selection_eid:
EventID: 7045
selection_imagepath:
- ImagePath|re: '\$PSHome\[\s*\d{1,3}\s*\]\s*\+\s*\$PSHome\['
- ImagePath|re: '\$ShellId\[\s*\d{1,3}\s*\]\s*\+\s*\$ShellId\['
- ImagePath|re: '\$env:Public\[\s*\d{1,3}\s*\]\s*\+\s*\$env:Public\['
- ImagePath|re: '\$env:ComSpec\[(\s*\d{1,3}\s*,){2}'
- ImagePath|re: '\\*mdr\*\W\s*\)\.Name'
- ImagePath|re: '\$VerbosePreference\.ToString\('
- ImagePath|re: '\String\]\s*\$VerbosePreference'
condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high
related
high
Invoke-Obfuscation VAR+ Launcher - System
Detects Obfuscated use of Environment Variables to execute PowerShell
status test
author Jonathan Cheong, oscd.community
id 8ca7004b-e620-4ecb-870e-86129b5b8e75
license Sigma · DRL-1.1
view Sigma YAML
title: Invoke-Obfuscation VAR+ Launcher - System
id: 8ca7004b-e620-4ecb-870e-86129b5b8e75
status: test
description: Detects Obfuscated use of Environment Variables to execute PowerShell
references:
- https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/issues/1009 # (Task 24)
author: Jonathan Cheong, oscd.community
date: 2020-10-15
modified: 2022-11-29
tags:
- attack.stealth
- attack.t1027
- attack.execution
- attack.t1059.001
logsource:
product: windows
service: system
detection:
selection:
Provider_Name: 'Service Control Manager'
EventID: 7045
# ImagePath|re: 'cmd.{0,5}(?:\/c|\/r)(?:\s|)\"set\s[a-zA-Z]{3,6}.*(?:\{\d\}){1,}\\\"\s+?\-f(?:.*\)){1,}.*\"'
# Example 1: C:\winDoWs\SySTeM32\cmd.Exe /C"SET NOtI=Invoke-Expression (New-Object Net.WebClient).DownloadString&& PowERshElL -NOl SET-iteM ( 'VAR' + 'i'+ 'A' + 'blE:Ao6' + 'I0') ( [TYpe](\"{2}{3}{0}{1}\"-F 'iRoN','mENT','e','nv') ) ; ${exECUtIONCOnTEXT}.\"IN`VO`KecOmMaND\".\"inVo`KES`crIPt\"( ( ( GEt-VAriAble ( 'a' + 'o6I0') -vaLU )::(\"{1}{4}{2}{3}{0}\" -f'e','gETenvIR','NtvaRIa','BL','ONme' ).Invoke(( \"{0}{1}\"-f'n','oti' ),( \"{0}{1}\" -f'pRoC','esS') )) )"
# Example 2: cMD.exe /C "seT SlDb=Invoke-Expression (New-Object Net.WebClient).DownloadString&& pOWErShell .(( ^&(\"{1}{0}{2}{3}\" -f 'eT-vaR','G','iab','lE' ) (\"{0}{1}\" -f '*m','DR*' ) ).\"na`ME\"[3,11,2]-JOIN'' ) ( ( ^&(\"{0}{1}\" -f'g','CI' ) (\"{0}{1}\" -f 'ENV',':SlDb' ) ).\"VA`luE\" ) "
ImagePath|contains|all:
- 'cmd'
- '"set'
- '-f'
ImagePath|contains:
- '/c'
- '/r'
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: high