huntrule

Suspicious Active Directory Enumeration via PowerShell DirectorySearcher

PremiumReviewedSigma · Medium · v1
Product
windows
Category
process_creation
Author
HuntRule
Published
2026-09-22
Updated
2026-09-22
AnalysisDetection

ATT&CK techniques

Discovery

  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 detects PowerShell using the DirectoryServices DirectorySearcher class to enumerate Active Directory objects, a domain reconnaissance technique used by RansomHub affiliates. Scripted LDAP searching through DirectorySearcher is rarely performed by ordinary users and commonly precedes lateral movement and privilege escalation.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1087.002 — drag to rearrange
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Suspicious Active Directory Computer Enumeration via Get-ADComputer Export to CSV (via ps_script)
Suspicious SharpHound Active Directory Collection
Malicious AdFind Domain Trust Enumeration via Trustdmp
Suspicious AdFind Person Object Enumeration via LDAP Filter
Suspicious Active Directory Reconnaissance via In-Memory Offensive PowerShell (via ps_script)
Suspicious Active Directory Export via Csvde via Process Creation (via process_creation)
Suspicious Active Directory Enumeration via PowerShell DirectorySearcher
Pivot detection · T1087.002 · 9 related

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