huntrule

PowerShell Script Block Obfuscation via cmd/clipboard and clip.exe execution

Identifies obfuscated PowerShell script blocks launching clip.exe and chaining clipboard-related execution.

FreeReviewedSigma · High · v2
Product
windows
Category
ps_script
Author
Jonathan Cheong, oscd.community (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2020-10-13
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 obfuscated PowerShell script block content that uses cmd.exe with /c or /r to run clip.exe (or clip) and includes clipboard-related string formatting patterns. Attackers may use this technique to execute commands indirectly and hide intent within heavily obfuscated script text. The detection relies on PowerShell Script Block Logging telemetry to match the specific obfuscation and clip/clipboard execution pattern.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1027 — drag to rearrange
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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 Script Block Obfuscation via cmd/clipboard and clip.exe execution
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.