PowerShell Script Creates Volume Shadow Copy via Win32_ShadowCopy
Alerts when PowerShell script blocks invoke Win32_ShadowCopy.Create to create a ClientAccessible shadow copy.
- Product
- windows
- Category
- ps_script
- Author
- frack113 (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
- Published
- 2022-01-12
- Updated
- 2026-07-31
ATT&CK techniques
Cred AccessRecon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact
What it detects
This rule flags PowerShell script content that references the Win32_ShadowCopy WMI class and uses a Create call with the ClientAccessible option. Attackers may use Volume Shadow Copy to access or duplicate sensitive data, including credential-related files, from a point-in-time snapshot. Detection relies on Script Block Logging telemetry that captures the PowerShell script text for specific string patterns indicating the shadow copy creation.
Reporting behind it
- learn.microsoft.comhttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.management/get-wmiobject?view=powershell-5.1&viewFallbackFrom=powershell-7
- github.comhttps://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/powershell/powershell_script/posh_ps_create_volume_shadow_copy.yml
Changelog
v2- v2Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
- v1No changelog recorded for this version.2026-07-30
Detection content is published as a reviewed draft. Tune thresholds and exclusions against your own telemetry before enabling this rule for alerting.
title: PowerShell Script Creates Volume Shadow Copy via Win32_ShadowCopy
id: 80e07d7f-37b2-4e3b-89b6-83126f541003
status: test
description: This rule flags PowerShell script content that references the Win32_ShadowCopy WMI class and uses a Create call with the ClientAccessible option. Attackers may use Volume Shadow Copy to access or duplicate sensitive data, including credential-related files, from a point-in-time snapshot. Detection relies on Script Block Logging telemetry that captures the PowerShell script text for specific string patterns indicating the shadow copy creation.
references:
- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.management/get-wmiobject?view=powershell-5.1&viewFallbackFrom=powershell-7
- https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/powershell/powershell_script/posh_ps_create_volume_shadow_copy.yml
author: frack113, Huntrule Team
date: 2022-01-12
tags:
- attack.credential-access
- attack.t1003.003
- attack.ds0005
logsource:
product: windows
category: ps_script
definition: "Requirements: Script Block Logging must be enabled"
detection:
selection:
ScriptBlockText|contains|all:
- Win32_ShadowCopy
- ).Create(
- ClientAccessible
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Legitimate PowerShell scripts
level: high
license: DRL-1.1
related:
- id: afd12fed-b0ec-45c9-a13d-aa86625dac81
type: derived