PowerShell Local User Creation via New-LocalUser

ATT&CK techniques

Execution → Persistence

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
- T1059.001PowerShell
Persistence
- T1136.001Local Account
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule identifies PowerShell script block text containing the New-LocalUser command, indicating an attempt to create a local account. Creating local users is a common persistence and privilege-access technique used by attackers to establish durable access on a host. Detection relies on script block logging telemetry that captures the executed PowerShell content.

Reporting behind it

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PowerShell Local User Creation via New-LocalUser

Pivot detection · T1059.001 · 9 related

Changelog

v2

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-local-account-creation-via-new-localuser-243de76f

title: PowerShell Local User Creation via New-LocalUser
id: f721a8dc-c2d6-494f-8810-de366c4dd07d
status: test
description: This rule identifies PowerShell script block text containing the New-LocalUser command, indicating an attempt to create a local account. Creating local users is a common persistence and privilege-access technique used by attackers to establish durable access on a host. Detection relies on script block logging telemetry that captures the executed PowerShell content.
references:
  - https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1136.001/T1136.001.md
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/powershell/powershell_script/posh_ps_create_local_user.yml
author: "@ROxPinTeddy, Huntrule Team"
date: 2020-04-11
modified: 2022-12-25
tags:
  - attack.execution
  - attack.t1059.001
  - attack.persistence
  - attack.t1136.001
logsource:
  product: windows
  category: ps_script
  definition: "Requirements: Script Block Logging must be enabled"
detection:
  selection:
    ScriptBlockText|contains: New-LocalUser
  condition: selection
falsepositives:
  - Legitimate user creation
level: medium
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: 243de76f-4725-4f2e-8225-a8a69b15ad61
    type: derived

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