Masquerading sLoad Ramnit Loader Execution via PowerShell Running a Masqueraded Log Script (via process_creation)

ATT&CK techniques

Execution → Defense Evasion

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
- T1059.001PowerShell
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
- T1036.008Masquerade File Type
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects PowerShell launching with an execution-policy bypass to run a script masqueraded as a .log file, the loader behavior used by the sLoad downloader to execute the encrypted Ramnit payload in the drIBAN banking-fraud operation. Adversaries rename PowerShell scripts to log extensions so the interpreter runs untrusted code while evading extension-based controls, making early detection critical for catching the loader before Ramnit injection.

Reporting behind it

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Masquerading sLoad Ramnit Loader Execution via PowerShell Running a Masqueraded Log Script (via process_creation)

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.

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