PowerShell Module: Obfuscated MSHTA Invocation via VBS CreateObject

ATT&CK techniques

Execution → Defense Evasion

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
- T1059.001PowerShell
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
- T1027Obfuscated Files or Information
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule identifies PowerShell module usage containing a specific obfuscated execution pattern that invokes mshta via VBScript CreateObject. Attackers often combine these elements to hide intent while triggering external script execution and rapid payload closure. It relies on PowerShell module telemetry by matching the presence of multiple required string fragments within the same payload.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1027 — drag to rearrange

Suspicious PowerShell Invoke-Expression with Replace Obfuscation

Malicious Emmenhtal JavaScript Loader Spawning Encoded PowerShell

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

PowerShell Module: Obfuscated MSHTA Invocation via VBS CreateObject

Pivot detection · T1027 · 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-module-obfuscated-script-invocation-using-mshta-07ad2ea8

title: "PowerShell Module: Obfuscated MSHTA Invocation via VBS CreateObject"
id: 58e26d27-033f-420b-abc8-a04342f0c6fc
related:
  - id: e55a5195-4724-480e-a77e-3ebe64bd3759
    type: derived
  - id: 07ad2ea8-6a55-4ac6-bf3e-91b8e59676eb
    type: derived
status: test
description: This rule identifies PowerShell module usage containing a specific obfuscated execution pattern that invokes mshta via VBScript CreateObject. Attackers often combine these elements to hide intent while triggering external script execution and rapid payload closure. It relies on PowerShell module telemetry by matching the presence of multiple required string fragments within the same payload.
references:
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/issues/1009
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/powershell/powershell_module/posh_pm_invoke_obfuscation_via_use_mhsta.yml
author: Nikita Nazarov, oscd.community, Huntrule Team
date: 2020-10-08
modified: 2023-01-04
tags:
  - attack.stealth
  - attack.t1027
  - attack.execution
  - attack.t1059.001
logsource:
  product: windows
  category: ps_module
  definition: 0ad03ef1-f21b-4a79-8ce8-e6900c54b65b
detection:
  selection:
    Payload|contains|all:
      - set
      - "&&"
      - mshta
      - vbscript:createobject
      - .run
      - (window.close)
  condition: selection
falsepositives:
  - Unknown
level: high
license: DRL-1.1

Convert

This rule as a query you can run. Uses no unlock credit.

SplunkSPL