AWL Bypass with Winrm.vbs and Malicious WsmPty.xsl/WsmTxt.xsl - File (via file_event)

title: AWL Bypass with Winrm.vbs and Malicious WsmPty.xsl/WsmTxt.xsl - File (via file_event)
id: 0ed38c9f-fa20-5321-82e6-a04d88aaf60d
status: stable
description: This rule detects execution of attacker-controlled WsmPty.xsl or WsmTxt.xsl via winrm.vbs and copied cscript.exe (can be renamed)
references:
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1216/
    - https://posts.specterops.io/application-whitelisting-bypass-and-arbitrary-unsigned-code-execution-technique-in-winrm-vbs-c8c24fb40404
author: Huntrule Team
date: 2026-06-02
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1216
logsource:
    product: windows
    category: file_event
detection:
    system_files:
        TargetFilename|endswith:
            - 'WsmPty.xsl'
            - 'WsmTxt.xsl'
    in_system_folder:
        TargetFilename|startswith:
            - 'C:\Windows\System32\'
            - 'C:\Windows\SysWOW64\'
    condition: system_files and not in_system_folder
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium