Suspicious Double-Extension PDF JavaScript Lure via WScript (via process_creation)
- Product
- windows
- Category
- process_creation
- Author
- HuntRule
- Published
- 2026-09-21
- Updated
- 2026-09-21
ATT&CK techniques
ExecutionRecon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact
What it detects
This rule detects Windows Script Host executing a file whose name uses a .pdf .js double extension, the lure format in the XWorm tax scam where Tax-docs-2023.pdf .js masquerades as a PDF. The trailing .js reveals it as a script rather than a document, and wscript execution launches the PowerShell downloader. This is the initial-execution stage of the campaign.
Reporting behind it
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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Also included
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