Suspicious JScript Execution via NTFS Short Name by Script Host (via process_creation)

ATT&CK techniques

Execution → Defense Evasion

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
- T1059.005Visual Basic
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
- T1027Obfuscated Files or Information
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects cscript.exe or wscript.exe executing a JScript file referenced by its NTFS 8.3 short name, a defense-evasion trick Gootloader uses to obscure the real payload filename during execution. Adversaries reference the tilde short name form to defeat filename-based detections while still running the script, making this a useful signal for surfacing the loader stage.

Reporting behind it

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Possible WSHRAT Persistence via Run Key Silent Script Execution

Suspicious WScript Execution of VBScript From Public Directory

Malicious IcedID Loader Execution via Rundll32 from Excel Macro (via process_creation)

Suspicious Silent VBScript Execution from AppData Roaming

Suspicious JScript Execution via NTFS Short Name by Script Host (via process_creation)

Pivot detection · T1059.005 · 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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