Suspicious Hidden PowerShell Spawned by Script Host via process_creation

ATT&CK techniques

Execution

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
- T1059.001PowerShell
- T1059.007JavaScript
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects the Windows Script Host wscript.exe or cscript.exe launching PowerShell with a hidden window, the initial execution chain of the multi-stage Phantom Stealer campaign that runs an obfuscated .ps1 via COM. A JScript dropper invoking hidden PowerShell is a common trusted-workflow abuse pattern used to stage the reflective .NET loader, so detecting the chain surfaces the infection at its entry point.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1059.001 — drag to rearrange

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Suspicious Script Host Spawning PowerShell With Bypass And Hidden Execution

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Suspicious Hidden PowerShell Spawned by Script Host via process_creation

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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