huntrule

Windows PowerShell nslookup DNS TXT Download Cradle

Identifies PowerShell launching an nslookup-based cradle that queries TXT records with HTTP-related nslookup parameters.

FreeReviewedSigma · Medium · v2
Product
windows
Category
ps_classic_start
Author
Sai Prashanth Pulisetti @pulisettis, Aishwarya Singam (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2022-12-10
Updated
2026-07-31
AnalysisDetection

ATT&CK techniques

Execution

  1. Recon

  2. Resource Dev

  3. Initial Access

  4. Execution

  5. Persistence

  6. Priv Esc

  7. Defense Evasion

  8. Cred Access

  9. Discovery

  10. Lateral Movement

  11. Collection

  12. C2

  13. Exfiltration

  14. Impact

What it detects

This rule identifies PowerShell command content that uses nslookup with TXT-query patterns and an embedded payload index marker ('[1]'). Attackers may use DNS TXT records to stage or retrieve follow-on code while blending into seemingly normal name-resolution activity. Detection relies on Windows PowerShell classic start telemetry capturing the command text for nslookup usage and the specific TXT/HTTP query arguments.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1059.001 — drag to rearrange
Suspicious IIS Worker Process Spawning Command or Scripting Interpreter via SharePoint ToolShell Exploitation (via process_creation)
Suspicious PowerShell Download Cradle Spawned from Explorer via ClickFix Lure (via process_creation)
Malicious Interlock RAT FileFix Download-Cradle via PowerShell WebClient with PowerShell User-Agent (via ps_script)
Malicious Metasploit Stager Delivery via mshta Remote HTA (via process_creation)
Suspicious PowerShell Download of Disguised Payload to ProgramData
Suspicious PowerShell WebClient Download of Executable Payload
Malicious Script Host Spawning PowerShell in Gootloader Chain
Suspicious PsExec Service Launching Encoded PowerShell Payload
Suspicious PowerShell Remote Script Execution via IEX DownloadString
Windows PowerShell nslookup DNS TXT Download Cradle
Pivot detection · T1059.001 · 9 related

Changelog

v2
  1. v2
    Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
  2. 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.