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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
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Suspicious Python Interpreter Launching Encoded PowerShell via subprocess
Suspicious PS1Bot PowerShell Payload Written to ProgramData (via file_event)
Malicious Non-Interactive Encoded PowerShell Stager (via process_creation)
Suspicious Hidden PowerShell Executing Substring of Dropped File
PowerShell Encoded or Download-Cradle Command Line (via process_creation)
Obfuscated Encoded PowerShell Payload Deployed - PowerShell (via powershell)
Suspicious PowerShell AES Decryption and Reflective Method Invocation in SolarMarker
Suspicious PowerShell Invoking Remote HTA via Environment Variable Masquerading (via process_creation)
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.