huntrule

PowerShell module activity launching rundll32 via shell32.dll obfuscation content

Alerts when PowerShell module payloads reference a shell32/rundll32 launcher pattern that includes PowerShell.

FreeReviewedSigma · Medium · v2
Product
windows
Category
ps_module
Author
Timur Zinniatullin, oscd.community (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2020-10-18
Updated
2026-07-31
AnalysisDetection

ATT&CK techniques

Execution → Defense Evasion

  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 flags Windows PowerShell module events where the module payload contains all of the strings rundll32.exe, shell32.dll, shellexec_rundll, and powershell. Attackers may use rundll32 execution paths and DLL-related routines to obscure process intent while still invoking PowerShell. The detection relies on telemetry that records the PowerShell module payload content.

Reporting behind it

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PowerShell Encoded or Download-Cradle Command Line (via process_creation)
Obfuscated Encoded PowerShell Payload Deployed - PowerShell (via powershell)
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PowerShell module activity launching rundll32 via shell32.dll obfuscation content
Pivot detection · T1027 · 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.