PowerShell Proxy Execution via SyncAppvPublishingServer (via process_creation)

ATT&CK techniques

Defense Evasion

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
- T1216System Script Proxy Execution
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects SyncAppvPublishingServer being used to smuggle a PowerShell command through its argument, a signed-binary proxy technique that runs script code while masking the parent as a trusted App-V component. SyncAppvPublishingServer abuse is a defense-evasion technique tracked in the Red Canary Threat Detection Report. Detecting this pattern surfaces script execution hidden behind a signed binary.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1216 — drag to rearrange

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Windows: Uncommon Child Processes Spawned by sigverif.exe

Windows: Suspicious CustomShellHost.exe execution spawned by non-Explorer parent

PowerShell: Signed UtilityFunctions.ps1 Loading Managed DLL via Proxy Execution

Windows PowerShell Script Proxy Execution via CL_mutexverifiers.ps1

PowerShell Assembly Loading via CL_LoadAssembly.ps1 Functions

Windows Process Execution of SyncAppvPublishingServer.vbs with Inline PowerShell Commands

PowerShell Proxy Execution via SyncAppvPublishingServer (via process_creation)

Pivot detection · T1216 · 9 related

Detection content is published as a reviewed draft. Tune thresholds and exclusions against your own telemetry before enabling this rule for alerting.

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