Suspicious Netcat The Powershell Version (via ps_classic_start)

title: Suspicious Netcat The Powershell Version (via ps_classic_start)
id: 844ca0f5-b61c-5c4e-ab78-14ba2fc60d36
status: stable
description: This rule detects threat actors may use a non-application layer protocol for communication between host and C2 server or among infected hosts within a network
references:
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1059/001/
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1095/
    - https://nmap.org/ncat/
    - https://github.com/besimorhino/powercat
    - https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1095/T1095.md
author: Huntrule Team
date: 2026-01-10
tags:
    - attack.command-and-control
    - attack.execution
    - attack.t1095
    - attack.t1059.001
logsource:
    product: windows
    category: ps_classic_start
detection:
    selection:
        Data|contains:
            - 'powercat '
            - 'powercat.ps1'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium