Windows PowerShell Get CIMInstance Remote Computer

name: Windows PowerShell Get CIMInstance Remote Computer
id: d8c972eb-ed84-431a-8869-ca4bd83257d1
version: 10
date: '2026-04-15'
author: Michael Haag, Splunk
type: Anomaly
status: production
data_source:
    - Powershell Script Block Logging 4104
description: The following analytic detects the use of the Get-CimInstance cmdlet with the -ComputerName parameter, indicating an attempt to retrieve information from a remote computer. It leverages PowerShell Script Block Logging to identify this specific command execution. This activity is significant as it may indicate unauthorized remote access or information gathering by an attacker. If confirmed malicious, this could allow the attacker to collect sensitive data from remote systems, potentially leading to further exploitation or lateral movement within the network.
search: |-
    `powershell` EventCode=4104 ScriptBlockText="*get-ciminstance*" AND ScriptBlockText="*computername*"
      | 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_get_ciminstance_remote_computer_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: This is meant to be a low risk RBA anomaly analytic or to be used for hunting. Enable this with a low risk score and let it generate risk in the risk index.
references:
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/cimcmdlets/get-ciminstance?view=powershell-7.3
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 ("$dest$") | 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 PowerShell Cmdlet Get-CIMInstnace was ran on $dest$, attempting to connect to a remote host.
    risk_objects:
        - field: dest
          type: system
          score: 20
    threat_objects: []
tags:
    analytic_story:
        - Active Directory Lateral Movement
    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/atomic_red_team/get_ciminstance_windows-powershell.log
          source: XmlWinEventLog:Microsoft-Windows-PowerShell/Operational
          sourcetype: XmlWinEventLog