Sigma Rule Library

PowerShell Script Dropped Via PowerShell.EXE

Detects PowerShell creating a PowerShell file (.ps1). While often times this behavior is benign, sometimes it can be a sign of a dropper script trying to achieve persistence.

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Detection logic

selection

Image|endswith:
  - \powershell.exe
  - \pwsh.exe
TargetFilename|endswith: .ps1

filter_main_psscriptpolicytest

TargetFilename|contains: __PSScriptPolicyTest_

filter_main_appdata

TargetFilename|startswith: C:\Users\
TargetFilename|contains: \AppData\Local\Temp\

filter_main_windows_temp

TargetFilename|startswith: C:\Windows\Temp\

Condition

selection and not 1 of filter_main_*

Raw YAML

title: PowerShell Script Dropped Via PowerShell.EXE
id: 576426ad-0131-4001-ae01-be175da0c108
status: test
description: Detects PowerShell creating a PowerShell file (.ps1). While often times this behavior is benign, sometimes it can be a sign of a dropper script trying to achieve persistence.
references:
    - https://www.zscaler.com/blogs/security-research/onenote-growing-threat-malware-distribution
author: frack113
date: 2023-05-09
tags:
    - attack.persistence
logsource:
    product: windows
    category: file_event
detection:
    selection:
        Image|endswith:
            - '\powershell.exe'
            - '\pwsh.exe'
        TargetFilename|endswith: '.ps1'
    filter_main_psscriptpolicytest:
        TargetFilename|contains: '__PSScriptPolicyTest_'
    filter_main_appdata:
        TargetFilename|startswith: 'C:\Users\'
        TargetFilename|contains: '\AppData\Local\Temp\'
    filter_main_windows_temp:
        TargetFilename|startswith: 'C:\Windows\Temp\'
    condition: selection and not 1 of filter_main_*
falsepositives:
    - False positives will differ depending on the environment and scripts used. Apply additional filters accordingly.
level: low

False positives

  • False positives will differ depending on the environment and scripts used. Apply additional filters accordingly.

References

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