Malicious DirectorySearcher Powershell Exploitation (via ps_script)

title: Malicious DirectorySearcher Powershell Exploitation (via ps_script)
id: 9de9e6d0-0245-5615-b8c7-4f4367b3fc7b
status: stable
description: This rule detects enumerates Active Directory to determine computers that are joined to the domain
references:
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1018/
    - https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1018/T1018.md#atomic-test-15---enumerate-domain-computers-within-active-directory-using-directorysearcher
author: Huntrule Team
date: 2026-01-29
tags:
    - attack.discovery
    - attack.t1018
logsource:
    product: windows
    category: ps_script
    definition: 'Requirements: Script Block Logging must be enabled'
detection:
    selection:
        ScriptBlockText|contains|all:
            - 'New-Object '
            - 'System.DirectoryServices.DirectorySearcher'
            - '.PropertiesToLoad.Add'
            - '.findall()'
            - 'Properties.name'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium