Malicious PowerShell Scripts - FileCreation

title: Malicious PowerShell Scripts - FileCreation
id: f331aa1f-8c53-4fc3-b083-cc159bc971cb
related:
    - id: 41025fd7-0466-4650-a813-574aaacbe7f4
      type: similar
status: test
description: Detects the creation of known offensive powershell scripts used for exploitation
references:
    - https://github.com/PowerShellMafia/PowerSploit
    - https://github.com/NetSPI/PowerUpSQL
    - https://github.com/CsEnox/EventViewer-UACBypass
    - https://web.archive.org/web/20210511204621/https://github.com/AlsidOfficial/WSUSpendu
    - https://github.com/nettitude/Invoke-PowerThIEf
    - https://github.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn
    - https://github.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/PowerSharpPack/tree/master/PowerSharpBinaries
    - https://github.com/BC-SECURITY/Invoke-ZeroLogon/blob/111d17c7fec486d9bb23387e2e828b09a26075e4/Invoke-ZeroLogon.ps1
    - https://github.com/xorrior/RandomPS-Scripts/blob/848c919bfce4e2d67b626cbcf4404341cfe3d3b6/Get-DXWebcamVideo.ps1
    - https://github.com/rvrsh3ll/Misc-Powershell-Scripts/blob/6f23bb41f9675d7e2d32bacccff75e931ae00554/OfficeMemScraper.ps1
    - https://github.com/dafthack/DomainPasswordSpray/blob/b13d64a5834694aa73fd2aea9911a83027c465a7/DomainPasswordSpray.ps1
    - https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/threat-assessment-black-basta-ransomware/ # Invoke-TotalExec
    - https://research.nccgroup.com/2022/06/06/shining-the-light-on-black-basta/ # Invoke-TotalExec
    - https://github.com/HarmJ0y/DAMP
    - https://github.com/samratashok/nishang
    - https://github.com/DarkCoderSc/PowerRunAsSystem/
    - https://github.com/besimorhino/powercat
    - https://github.com/Kevin-Robertson/Powermad
    - https://github.com/adrecon/ADRecon
    - https://github.com/adrecon/AzureADRecon
    - https://github.com/sadshade/veeam-creds/blob/6010eaf31ba41011b58d6af3950cffbf6f5cea32/Veeam-Get-Creds.ps1
    - https://github.com/The-Viper-One/Invoke-PowerDPAPI/
    - https://github.com/Arno0x/DNSExfiltrator/
author: Markus Neis, Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), Mustafa Kaan Demir, Georg Lauenstein
date: 2018-04-07
modified: 2025-12-10
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.t1059.001
logsource:
    category: file_event
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_generic:
        TargetFilename|endswith:
            # Note: Please ensure alphabetical order when adding new entries
            - '\Add-ConstrainedDelegationBackdoor.ps1'
            - '\Add-Exfiltration.ps1'
            - '\Add-Persistence.ps1'
            - '\Add-RegBackdoor.ps1'
            - '\Add-RemoteRegBackdoor.ps1'
            - '\Add-ScrnSaveBackdoor.ps1'
            - '\ADRecon.ps1'
            - '\AzureADRecon.ps1'
            - '\BadSuccessor.ps1'
            - '\Check-VM.ps1'
            - '\ConvertTo-ROT13.ps1'
            - '\Copy-VSS.ps1'
            - '\Create-MultipleSessions.ps1'
            - '\DNS_TXT_Pwnage.ps1'
            - '\dnscat2.ps1'
            - '\Do-Exfiltration.ps1'
            - '\DomainPasswordSpray.ps1'
            - '\Download_Execute.ps1'
            - '\Download-Execute-PS.ps1'
            - '\Enable-DuplicateToken.ps1'
            - '\Enabled-DuplicateToken.ps1'
            - '\Execute-Command-MSSQL.ps1'
            - '\Execute-DNSTXT-Code.ps1'
            - '\Execute-OnTime.ps1'
            - '\ExetoText.ps1'
            - '\Exploit-Jboss.ps1'
            - '\Find-AVSignature.ps1'
            - '\Find-Fruit.ps1'
            - '\Find-GPOLocation.ps1'
            - '\Find-TrustedDocuments.ps1'
            - '\FireBuster.ps1'
            - '\FireListener.ps1'
            - '\Get-ApplicationHost.ps1'
            - '\Get-ChromeDump.ps1'
            - '\Get-ClipboardContents.ps1'
            - '\Get-ComputerDetail.ps1'
            - '\Get-FoxDump.ps1'
            - '\Get-GPPAutologon.ps1'
            - '\Get-GPPPassword.ps1'
            - '\Get-IndexedItem.ps1'
            - '\Get-Keystrokes.ps1'
            - '\Get-LSASecret.ps1'
            - '\Get-MicrophoneAudio.ps1'
            - '\Get-PassHashes.ps1'
            - '\Get-PassHints.ps1'
            - '\Get-RegAlwaysInstallElevated.ps1'
            - '\Get-RegAutoLogon.ps1'
            - '\Get-RickAstley.ps1'
            - '\Get-Screenshot.ps1'
            - '\Get-SecurityPackages.ps1'
            - '\Get-ServiceFilePermission.ps1'
            - '\Get-ServicePermission.ps1'
            - '\Get-ServiceUnquoted.ps1'
            - '\Get-SiteListPassword.ps1'
            - '\Get-System.ps1'
            - '\Get-TimedScreenshot.ps1'
            - '\Get-UnattendedInstallFile.ps1'
            - '\Get-Unconstrained.ps1'
            - '\Get-USBKeystrokes.ps1'
            - '\Get-VaultCredential.ps1'
            - '\Get-VulnAutoRun.ps1'
            - '\Get-VulnSchTask.ps1'
            - '\Get-WebConfig.ps1'
            - '\Get-WebCredentials.ps1'
            - '\Get-WLAN-Keys.ps1'
            - '\Gupt-Backdoor.ps1'
            - '\HTTP-Backdoor.ps1'
            - '\HTTP-Login.ps1'
            - '\Install-ServiceBinary.ps1'
            - '\Install-SSP.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-ACLScanner.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-ADSBackdoor.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-AmsiBypass.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-ARPScan.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-BackdoorLNK.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-BadPotato.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-BetterSafetyKatz.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-BruteForce.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-BypassUAC.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-Carbuncle.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-Certify.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-ConPtyShell.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-CredentialInjection.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-CredentialsPhish.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-DAFT.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-DCSync.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-Decode.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-DinvokeKatz.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-DllInjection.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-DNSExfiltrator.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-DNSUpdate.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-DowngradeAccount.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-EgressCheck.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-Encode.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-EventViewer.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-Eyewitness.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-FakeLogonScreen.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-Farmer.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-Get-RBCD-Threaded.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-Gopher.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-Grouper2.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-Grouper3.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-HandleKatz.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-Interceptor.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-Internalmonologue.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-Inveigh.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-InveighRelay.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-JSRatRegsvr.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-JSRatRundll.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-KrbRelay.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-KrbRelayUp.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-LdapSignCheck.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-Lockless.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-MalSCCM.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-Mimikatz.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-MimikatzWDigestDowngrade.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-Mimikittenz.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-MITM6.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-NanoDump.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-NetRipper.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-NetworkRelay.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-NinjaCopy.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-OxidResolver.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-P0wnedshell.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-P0wnedshellx86.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-Paranoia.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-PortScan.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-PoshRatHttp.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-PoshRatHttps.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-PostExfil.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-PowerDump.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-PowerDPAPI.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-PowerShellIcmp.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-PowerShellTCP.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-PowerShellTcpOneLine.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-PowerShellTcpOneLineBind.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-PowerShellUdp.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-PowerShellUdpOneLine.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-PowerShellWMI.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-PowerThIEf.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-PPLDump.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-Prasadhak.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-PsExec.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-PsGcat.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-PsGcatAgent.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-PSInject.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-PsUaCme.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-ReflectivePEInjection.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-ReverseDNSLookup.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-Rubeus.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-RunAs.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-SafetyKatz.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-SauronEye.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-SCShell.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-Seatbelt.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-ServiceAbuse.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-SessionGopher.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-ShellCode.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-SMBScanner.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-Snaffler.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-Spoolsample.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-SSHCommand.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-SSIDExfil.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-StandIn.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-StickyNotesExtract.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-Tater.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-Thunderfox.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-ThunderStruck.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-TokenManipulation.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-Tokenvator.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-TotalExec.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-UrbanBishop.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-UserHunter.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-VoiceTroll.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-Whisker.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-WinEnum.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-winPEAS.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-WireTap.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-WmiCommand.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-WScriptBypassUAC.ps1'
            - '\Invoke-Zerologon.ps1'
            - '\Keylogger.ps1'
            - '\MailRaider.ps1'
            - '\New-HoneyHash.ps1'
            - '\OfficeMemScraper.ps1'
            - '\Offline_Winpwn.ps1'
            - '\Out-CHM.ps1'
            - '\Out-DnsTxt.ps1'
            - '\Out-Excel.ps1'
            - '\Out-HTA.ps1'
            - '\Out-Java.ps1'
            - '\Out-JS.ps1'
            - '\Out-Minidump.ps1'
            - '\Out-RundllCommand.ps1'
            - '\Out-SCF.ps1'
            - '\Out-SCT.ps1'
            - '\Out-Shortcut.ps1'
            - '\Out-WebQuery.ps1'
            - '\Out-Word.ps1'
            - '\Parse_Keys.ps1'
            - '\Port-Scan.ps1'
            - '\PowerBreach.ps1'
            - '\powercat.ps1'
            - '\Powermad.ps1'
            - '\PowerRunAsSystem.psm1'
            - '\PowerSharpPack.ps1'
            - '\PowerUp.ps1'
            - '\PowerUpSQL.ps1'
            - '\PowerView.ps1'
            - '\PSAsyncShell.ps1'
            - '\RemoteHashRetrieval.ps1'
            - '\Remove-Persistence.ps1'
            - '\Remove-PoshRat.ps1'
            - '\Remove-Update.ps1'
            - '\Run-EXEonRemote.ps1'
            - '\Schtasks-Backdoor.ps1'
            - '\Set-DCShadowPermissions.ps1'
            - '\Set-MacAttribute.ps1'
            - '\Set-RemotePSRemoting.ps1'
            - '\Set-RemoteWMI.ps1'
            - '\Set-Wallpaper.ps1'
            - '\Show-TargetScreen.ps1'
            - '\Speak.ps1'
            - '\Start-CaptureServer.ps1'
            - '\Start-WebcamRecorder.ps1'
            - '\StringToBase64.ps1'
            - '\TexttoExe.ps1'
            - '\Veeam-Get-Creds.ps1'
            - '\VolumeShadowCopyTools.ps1'
            - '\WinPwn.ps1'
            - '\WSUSpendu.ps1'
    selection_invoke_sharp:
        TargetFilename|contains: 'Invoke-Sharp' # Covers all "Invoke-Sharp" variants
        TargetFilename|endswith: '.ps1'
    condition: 1 of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high