Suspicious AutoIt Script Execution of Compiled a3x Payload

ATT&CK techniques

Execution → Defense Evasion

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
- T1059Command and Scripting Interpreter
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
- T1027Obfuscated Files or Information
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects the AutoIt interpreter executing a compiled a3x script from a user writable location. Loaders such as DarkGate drop a renamed AutoIt binary alongside an obfuscated a3x script to decrypt and run shellcode while blending in with legitimate automation tooling.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1027 — drag to rearrange

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Suspicious AutoIt Script Execution of Compiled a3x Payload

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.

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