Windows Powershell Logoff User via Quser

name: Windows Powershell Logoff User via Quser
id: 6d70780d-4cfe-4820-bafd-1b43941986b5
version: 6
date: '2026-03-10'
author: Teoderick Contreras, Splunk
data_source:
    - Powershell Script Block Logging 4104
type: Anomaly
status: production
description: "The following analytic detects the process of logging off a user through the use of the quser and logoff commands. By monitoring for these commands, the analytic identifies actions where a user session is forcibly terminated, which could be part of an administrative task or a potentially unauthorized access attempt. This detection helps identify potential misuse or malicious activity where a user’s access is revoked without proper authorization, providing insight into potential security incidents involving account management or session manipulation."
search: |-
    `powershell` EventCode=4104 ScriptBlockText = "*quser*logoff*"
      | 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)`
      | `windows_powershell_logoff_user_via_quser_filter`
how_to_implement: The following Hunting analytic requires PowerShell operational logs to be imported. Modify the powershell macro as needed to match the sourcetype or add index. This analytic is specific to 4104, or PowerShell Script Block Logging.
known_false_positives: Administrators or power users may use this command.
references:
    - https://devblogs.microsoft.com/scripting/automating-quser-through-powershell/
drilldown_searches:
    - name: View the detection results for - "$dest$"
      search: '%original_detection_search% | search  dest = "$dest$"'
      earliest_offset: $info_min_time$
      latest_offset: $info_max_time$
    - name: View risk events for the last 7 days for - "$dest$"
      search: '| from datamodel Risk.All_Risk | search normalized_risk_object IN ("$dest$") starthoursago=168  | 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: $info_min_time$
      latest_offset: $info_max_time$
rba:
    message: Powershell process having commandline [$ScriptBlockText$] used to logoff user on [$dest$].
    risk_objects:
        - field: dest
          type: system
          score: 20
    threat_objects: []
tags:
    analytic_story:
        - Crypto Stealer
    asset_type: Endpoint
    mitre_attack_id:
        - T1059.001
        - T1531
    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/T1531/log_off_user/pwh_quser_logoff.log
          source: XmlWinEventLog:Microsoft-Windows-PowerShell/Operational
          sourcetype: XmlWinEventLog