PowerShell DNSExfiltrator command usage (DNSExfiltration)

Detects PowerShell use of Invoke-DNSExfiltrator for DNS/DoH-based exfiltration based on Script Block Logging content.

FreeReviewedSigma · High · v2

Product: windows
Category: ps_script
Author: frack113 (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published: 2022-01-07
Updated: 2026-07-31

ATT&CK techniques

Exfiltration

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
- T1048Exfiltration Over Alternative Protocol
Impact

What it detects

This rule identifies PowerShell script block content that references the Invoke-DNSExfiltrator functionality with parameters indicating exfiltration over DNS, including options consistent with DoH usage. Attackers use DNS covert channels to move data while blending into common network traffic patterns and reducing visibility of direct outbound transfers. The detection relies on Script Block Logging telemetry and matches the presence of specific command text and required parameter fragments within the executed script block.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1048 — drag to rearrange

Suspicious Data Exfiltration via Blat SMTP Client (via process_creation)

Suspicious blat Utility Used for SMTP Data Exfiltration

Suspicious Data Exfiltration via WinSCP Command Line in BlackSuit Ransomware

Suspicious Scheduled Task Creation for rclone Exfiltration by The Gentlemen RaaS (via process_creation)

Suspicious DNS Query for Tor Onion Domain

Possible DNS Tunneling via Excessively Long Query Name

Malicious Bulk Data Exfiltration via Rclone (via process_creation)

BITS Payload Downloaded via Commandline (via process_creation)

BITS Payload Downloaded via PowerShell (via powershell)

PowerShell DNSExfiltrator command usage (DNSExfiltration)

Pivot detection · T1048 · 9 related

Changelog

v2
Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
v1
No 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.

powershell-dnsexfiltrator-via-invoke-dnsexfiltrator-with-doh-exfil-parameters-d59d7842

title: PowerShell DNSExfiltrator command usage (DNSExfiltration)
id: 6f396942-268b-456c-af90-3957f25915f0
status: test
description: This rule identifies PowerShell script block content that references the Invoke-DNSExfiltrator functionality with parameters indicating exfiltration over DNS, including options consistent with DoH usage. Attackers use DNS covert channels to move data while blending into common network traffic patterns and reducing visibility of direct outbound transfers. The detection relies on Script Block Logging telemetry and matches the presence of specific command text and required parameter fragments within the executed script block.
references:
  - https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1048/T1048.md#atomic-test-3---dnsexfiltration-doh
  - https://github.com/Arno0x/DNSExfiltrator
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/powershell/powershell_script/posh_ps_invoke_dnsexfiltration.yml
author: frack113, Huntrule Team
date: 2022-01-07
tags:
  - attack.exfiltration
  - attack.t1048
logsource:
  product: windows
  category: ps_script
  definition: "Requirements: Script Block Logging must be enabled"
detection:
  selection_cmdlet:
    - ScriptBlockText|contains: Invoke-DNSExfiltrator
    - ScriptBlockText|contains|all:
        - " -i "
        - " -d "
        - " -p "
        - " -doh "
        - " -t "
  condition: selection_cmdlet
falsepositives:
  - Legitimate script
level: high
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: d59d7842-9a21-4bc6-ba98-64bfe0091355
    type: derived

Convert

This rule as a query you can run. Uses no unlock credit.

SplunkSPL