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PowerShell ScriptBlock Obfuscation via MSHTA VBScript CreateObject Execution

Alerts on PowerShell script blocks containing mshta and VBScript createobject/.run/window.close patterns consistent with obfuscated execution.

FreeReviewedSigma · High · v2
Product
windows
Category
ps_script
Author
Nikita Nazarov, oscd.community (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2020-10-08
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 script block content that includes multiple MSHTA and VBScript execution indicators in the same block, suggesting obfuscated or staged execution. Attackers often use MSHTA with VBScript to launch processes while hiding intent within scripted content. The detection relies on Script Block Logging telemetry by matching specific string combinations within ScriptBlockText.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1027 — drag to rearrange
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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 ScriptBlock Obfuscation via MSHTA VBScript CreateObject 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.