Malicious PowerShell Download Rename and Execute Chain via Script Block

PremiumReviewedSigma · High · v1
Product
windows
Category
ps_script
Author
HuntRule
Published
2026-05-06
Updated
2026-08-28

ATT&CK techniques

Execution → C2
  1. Recon

  2. Resource Dev

  3. Initial Access

  4. Persistence

  5. Priv Esc

  6. Defense Evasion

  7. Cred Access

  8. Discovery

  9. Lateral Movement

  10. Collection

  11. Exfiltration

  12. Impact

What it detects

This rule detects a PowerShell script block that downloads a file into the public directory with Invoke-WebRequest, renames it to an executable with Rename-Item, and launches it with Start-Process. RomCom uses this exact chain after its Firefox and Windows zero-day exploitation to stage and run its backdoor. This indicates scripted payload delivery following exploitation.

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Pivot detection · T1059.001 · 9 related

Detection content is published as a reviewed draft. Tune thresholds and exclusions against your own telemetry before enabling this rule for alerting.