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PowerShell module: Obfuscated Invoke via rundll32/shell32.dll comspec iex patterns

Flags PowerShell module payloads containing obfuscated rundll32 shell32.dll shellexec_rundll invocation patterns.

FreeReviewedSigma · High · v2
Product
windows
Category
ps_module
Author
Nikita Nazarov, oscd.community (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2019-10-08
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 identifies PowerShell module payloads containing a set of obfuscation and execution indicators, including &&, rundll32, shell32.dll, shellexec_rundll, and the combination of value, invoke, comspec, and iex. Attackers may use these mixed command-and-script patterns to trigger indirect execution and hinder straightforward inspection. It relies on PowerShell module telemetry where the Payload field is available to match the specified string fragments.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1027 — drag to rearrange
Malicious FIN7 Powertrash Loader Execution via Obfuscated PowerShell (via process_creation)
Suspicious XOR Obfuscated PowerShell from ClickFix Distribution
Suspicious PowerShell Executing Code from Environment Variable (via process_creation)
Suspicious In-Memory Runspace Execution via PowerShell Script Block
Suspicious Encoded PowerShell Using Base64 Stream Decompression Routines (via process_creation)
Suspicious PowerShell In-Memory Execution with AES Decryption
Suspicious Encoded PowerShell Command Execution
Suspicious PEAKLIGHT Memory-Only PowerShell Downloader Flags (via process_creation)
Obfuscated PowerShell Script: Indirect Cmdlet Execution via ExportedCommands Array Index
PowerShell module: Obfuscated Invoke via rundll32/shell32.dll comspec iex patterns
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.