Windows PowerShell Recon via Export-Oriented Commands in Script Block Logging

Detects PowerShell script blocks performing recon queries (services/processes) and writing output to TEMP.

FreeReviewedSigma · Medium · v2

Product: windows
Category: ps_script
Author: frack113 (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published: 2021-07-30
Updated: 2026-07-31

ATT&CK techniques

Collection

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
- T1119Automated Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule identifies PowerShell script block content that includes service, filesystem, and process discovery activity along with evidence of redirecting output to a temporary path under %TEMP%. Such collection behavior can be used to inventory internal assets and prepare data for later export or analysis by an attacker. It relies on Script Block Logging telemetry capturing ScriptBlockText and matching specific command and redirection patterns.

Reporting behind it

Related detections7 linkedT1119 — drag to rearrange

Suspicious LameHug Staging Directory and Info File Creation on Windows

Suspicious Recursive Credential and Wallet Search Written to Temp Inventory File

Malicious Shai-Hulud Data Exfiltration Script Execution via Process Creation

Linux File Events: Malicious GitHub Workflow File Creation (shai-hulud-workflow*.yml/yaml)

Windows Process Creation: Recon Data Export via Command Prompt Redirection

PowerShell Script Block Collection of Documents via Recursive Get-ChildItem

Windows Process Creation: Automated Document and Directory Discovery via dir and findstr

Windows PowerShell Recon via Export-Oriented Commands in Script Block Logging

Pivot detection · T1119 · 7 related

Changelog

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-recon-via-script-blocks-service-processes-and-temp-directory-access-a9723fcc

title: Windows PowerShell Recon via Export-Oriented Commands in Script Block Logging
id: 71ef2291-c511-415b-ab11-250345dbe0e6
status: test
description: This rule identifies PowerShell script block content that includes service, filesystem, and process discovery activity along with evidence of redirecting output to a temporary path under %TEMP%. Such collection behavior can be used to inventory internal assets and prepare data for later export or analysis by an attacker. It relies on Script Block Logging telemetry capturing ScriptBlockText and matching specific command and redirection patterns.
references:
  - https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1119/T1119.md
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/powershell/powershell_script/posh_ps_susp_recon_export.yml
author: frack113, Huntrule Team
date: 2021-07-30
modified: 2022-12-25
tags:
  - attack.collection
  - attack.t1119
logsource:
  product: windows
  category: ps_script
  definition: "Requirements: Script Block Logging must be enabled"
detection:
  selection_action:
    ScriptBlockText|contains:
      - "Get-Service "
      - "Get-ChildItem "
      - "Get-Process "
  selection_redirect:
    ScriptBlockText|contains: "> $env:TEMP\\"
  condition: all of selection*
falsepositives:
  - Unknown
level: medium
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: a9723fcc-881c-424c-8709-fd61442ab3c3
    type: derived

Convert

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

SplunkSPL