Suspicious AutoIt Script Execution of AU3 Payload (via process_creation)

ATT&CK techniques

Execution

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
- T1059Command and Scripting Interpreter
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects an AutoIt interpreter executing an AU3 script, the execution stage DarkGate uses to decrypt and inject its payload. DarkGate operators abuse legitimate AutoIt binaries, often renamed, to run encrypted AU3 scripts. Legitimate AU3 execution exists, so pairing with staging context reduces noise.

Reporting behind it

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Suspicious AutoIt Script Execution of AU3 Payload (via process_creation)

Pivot detection · T1059 · 9 related

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

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