huntrule

Suspicious AutoIt Script Execution from User Writable Path via DarkGate (via process_creation)

PremiumReviewedSigma · Medium · v1
Product
windows
Category
process_creation
Author
HuntRule
Published
2026-05-01
Updated
2026-08-28
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 detects the AutoIt3 interpreter running a script from a user writable location such as AppData, Temp or ProgramData, matching DarkGate loader behavior that executes multiple AutoIt scripts staged after a JavaScript or LNK dropper. Some legitimate installers bundle AutoIt so parentage and path should be reviewed.

Reporting behind it

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Suspicious AutoHotkey Script Execution from User Writable Path by DarkGate
Malicious China Chopper Web Shell Command Pattern in IIS Worker Process (via process_creation)
Suspicious node.exe Executing Compiled JavaScript Bytecode File
Suspicious AutoIt Script Execution from User Writable Path via DarkGate (via process_creation)
Pivot detection · T1027 · 9 related

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