Suspicious Cursor Editor Process Spawning PowerShell

ATT&CK techniques

Initial Access → Execution

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
- T1195.001Compromise Software Dependencies and Development Tools
Execution
- T1059.001PowerShell
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects the Cursor AI editor spawning PowerShell which a malicious open-source extension abuses to run its payload through the trusted editor process. This supply-chain compromise turned a Cursor package into a crypto heist that deployed Quasar and PureLogs via ScreenConnect. A code editor launching PowerShell is an uncommon and high-value execution path to monitor.

Reporting behind it

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Suspicious Cursor Editor Process Spawning PowerShell

Pivot detection · T1059.001 · 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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