Inbox Rules Creation Or Update Activity Via ExchangePowerShell Cmdlet

Detects inbox rule creation or update via ExchangePowerShell cmdlet, a technique commonly observed in Business Email Compromise (BEC) attacks to hide emails. The usage of inbox rules can be a sign of a compromised mailbox, where an attacker is attempting to evade detections by suppressing or redirecting incoming emails. Analysts should review these rules in context, validate whether they reflect normal user behavior, and correlate with other indicators such as unusual login activity or recent mailbox rule modifications.

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Detection logic

selection_cmdlet

ScriptBlockText|contains:
  - New-InboxRule
  - Set-InboxRule

selection_params

ScriptBlockText|contains:
  - DeleteMessage
  - MarkAsRead
  - MoveToFolder
  - SubjectOrBodyContainsWords

Condition

all of selection_*

Raw YAML

title: Inbox Rules Creation Or Update Activity Via ExchangePowerShell Cmdlet
id: 04580eed-e1d6-426b-a570-f6e64a4577f7
related:
    - id: d3577be1-42c9-44a7-b56e-2e8de97349d3
      type: similar
status: experimental
description: |
    Detects inbox rule creation or update via ExchangePowerShell cmdlet, a technique commonly observed in Business Email Compromise (BEC) attacks to hide emails.
    The usage of inbox rules can be a sign of a compromised mailbox, where an attacker is attempting to evade detections by suppressing or redirecting incoming emails.
    Analysts should review these rules in context, validate whether they reflect normal user behavior, and correlate with other indicators such as unusual login activity or recent mailbox rule modifications.
references:
    - https://redcanary.com/threat-detection-report/techniques/email-hiding-rules/
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/it-it/powershell/module/exchangepowershell/new-inboxrule?view=exchange-ps
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/it-it/powershell/module/exchangepowershell/set-inboxrule?view=exchange-ps
author: Marco Pedrinazzi (@pedrinazziM) (InTheCyber)
date: 2026-02-10
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1564.008
    - attack.exfiltration
    - attack.collection
    - attack.t1114.003
    - detection.threat-hunting
logsource:
    product: windows
    category: ps_script
    definition: 'Requirements: Script Block Logging must be enabled'
detection:
    selection_cmdlet:
        ScriptBlockText|contains:
            - 'New-InboxRule'
            - 'Set-InboxRule'
    selection_params:
        ScriptBlockText|contains:
            - 'DeleteMessage'
            - 'MarkAsRead'
            - 'MoveToFolder'
            - 'SubjectOrBodyContainsWords'
    condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate inbox rules created by users or administrators to manage email flow such as filtering, organizing, or automating email handling.
level: medium