Powershell Processing Stream Of Data

name: Powershell Processing Stream Of Data
id: 0d718b52-c9f1-11eb-bc61-acde48001122
version: 16
date: '2026-04-15'
author: Teoderick Contreras, Splunk
status: production
type: TTP
description: The following analytic detects suspicious PowerShell script execution involving compressed stream data processing, identified via EventCode 4104. It leverages PowerShell Script Block Logging to flag scripts using `IO.Compression`, `IO.StreamReader`, or decompression methods. This activity is significant as it often indicates obfuscated PowerShell or embedded .NET/binary execution, which are common tactics for evading detection. If confirmed malicious, this behavior could allow attackers to execute hidden code, escalate privileges, or maintain persistence within the environment.
data_source:
    - Powershell Script Block Logging 4104
search: |-
    `powershell` EventCode=4104 ScriptBlockText = "*IO.Compression.*" OR ScriptBlockText = "*IO.StreamReader*" OR ScriptBlockText = "*]::Decompress*"
      | fillnull
      | stats count min(_time) as firstTime max(_time) as lastTime
        BY dest signature signature_id
           user_id vendor_product EventID
           Guid Opcode Name
           Path ProcessID ScriptBlockId
           ScriptBlockText
      | `security_content_ctime(firstTime)`
      | `security_content_ctime(lastTime)`
      | `powershell_processing_stream_of_data_filter`
how_to_implement: To successfully implement this analytic, you will need to enable PowerShell Script Block Logging on some or all endpoints. Additional setup here https://help.splunk.com/en/security-offerings/splunk-user-behavior-analytics/get-data-in/5.4.1/add-other-data-to-splunk-uba/configure-powershell-logging-to-see-powershell-anomalies-in-splunk-uba.
known_false_positives: powershell may used this function to process compressed data.
references:
    - https://medium.com/@ahmedjouini99/deobfuscating-emotets-powershell-payload-e39fb116f7b9
    - https://help.splunk.com/en/security-offerings/splunk-user-behavior-analytics/get-data-in/5.4.1/add-other-data-to-splunk-uba/configure-powershell-logging-to-see-powershell-anomalies-in-splunk-uba
    - https://blog.palantir.com/tampering-with-windows-event-tracing-background-offense-and-defense-4be7ac62ac63
    - https://static1.squarespace.com/static/552092d5e4b0661088167e5c/t/59c1814829f18782e24f1fe2/1505853768977/Windows+PowerShell+Logging+Cheat+Sheet+ver+Sept+2017+v2.1.pdf
    - https://www.crowdstrike.com/blog/investigating-powershell-command-and-script-logging/
    - https://www.splunk.com/en_us/blog/security/hunting-for-malicious-powershell-using-script-block-logging.html
    - https://thedfirreport.com/2023/05/22/icedid-macro-ends-in-nokoyawa-ransomware/
drilldown_searches:
    - name: View the detection results for - "$Computer$" and "$user$"
      search: '%original_detection_search% | search  Computer = "$Computer$" user = "$user$"'
      earliest_offset: $info_min_time$
      latest_offset: $info_max_time$
    - name: View risk events for the last 7 days for - "$Computer$" and "$user$"
      search: '| from datamodel Risk.All_Risk | search normalized_risk_object IN ("$Computer$", "$user$") | stats count min(_time) as firstTime max(_time) as lastTime values(search_name) as "Search Name" values(risk_message) as "Risk Message" values(analyticstories) as "Analytic Stories" values(annotations._all) as "Annotations" values(annotations.mitre_attack.mitre_tactic) as "ATT&CK Tactics" by normalized_risk_object | `security_content_ctime(firstTime)` | `security_content_ctime(lastTime)`'
      earliest_offset: 7d
      latest_offset: "0"
rba:
    message: A suspicious powershell script contains stream command in $ScriptBlockText$ commonly for processing compressed or to decompressed binary file with EventCode $EventID$ in host $dest$
    risk_objects:
        - field: dest
          type: system
          score: 50
        - field: user_id
          type: user
          score: 50
    threat_objects: []
tags:
    analytic_story:
        - Hellcat Ransomware
        - Malicious PowerShell
        - Medusa Ransomware
        - PXA Stealer
        - Data Destruction
        - Braodo Stealer
        - AsyncRAT
        - Hermetic Wiper
        - IcedID
        - XWorm
        - MoonPeak
        - MuddyWater
    asset_type: Endpoint
    mitre_attack_id:
        - T1059.001
    product:
        - Splunk Enterprise
        - Splunk Enterprise Security
        - Splunk Cloud
    security_domain: endpoint
tests:
    - name: True Positive Test
      attack_data:
        - data: https://media.githubusercontent.com/media/splunk/attack_data/master/datasets/attack_techniques/T1059.001/powershell_script_block_logging/streamreader.log
          source: XmlWinEventLog:Microsoft-Windows-PowerShell/Operational
          sourcetype: XmlWinEventLog