huntrule

PowerShell: Set-ExecutionPolicy to Unrestricted or Bypass

Alerts when PowerShell sets execution policy to Unrestricted or bypass, indicating weakened script execution controls.

FreeReviewedSigma · Medium · v2
Product
windows
Category
ps_script
Author
frack113 (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2021-10-20
Updated
2026-07-31
AnalysisDetection

ATT&CK techniques

Execution

  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 flags PowerShell script content that contains the Set-ExecutionPolicy cmdlet along with insecure execution policy options such as Unrestricted or bypass. Changing execution policy can reduce script execution protections and may enable persistent or stealthy execution of malicious scripts. It relies on PowerShell script block logging telemetry that captures the ScriptBlockText value for the cmdlet and its specified options.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1059.001 — drag to rearrange
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Malicious Metasploit Stager Delivery via mshta Remote HTA (via process_creation)
Suspicious PowerShell Download of Disguised Payload to ProgramData
Suspicious PowerShell WebClient Download of Executable Payload
Malicious Script Host Spawning PowerShell in Gootloader Chain
Suspicious PsExec Service Launching Encoded PowerShell Payload
Suspicious PowerShell Remote Script Execution via IEX DownloadString
Malicious SharePoint ToolShell Post-Exploitation via Encoded PowerShell (via process_creation)
Suspicious In-Memory PowerShell Execution from Web Server via Automation Assembly (via image_load)
PowerShell: Set-ExecutionPolicy to Unrestricted or Bypass
Pivot detection · T1059.001 · 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.