Obfuscated Node.js Execution of Script from LocalAppData (via process_creation)

ATT&CK techniques

Execution

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
- T1059.007JavaScript
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects a node.exe process running a JavaScript file staged under the user LocalAppData directory, the execution behavior of EtherRAT which downloads a private Node.js runtime and runs its obfuscated payload from a msitemp folder. Adversaries leverage a portable Node.js interpreter to execute JavaScript malware outside normal application paths while evading script host monitoring, making early detection critical for surfacing the RAT before it beacons.

Reporting behind it

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Obfuscated Node.js Execution of Script from LocalAppData (via process_creation)

Pivot detection · T1059.007 · 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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