Suspicious PowerShell Core DLL Loaded Through Office Application (via image_load)

title: Suspicious PowerShell Core DLL Loaded Through Office Application (via image_load)
id: d14ae957-617c-5a27-b4f6-2af726d38b18
status: stable
description: This rule detects PowerShell core DLL being loaded by an Office Product
references:
    - Internal Research
author: Huntrule Team
date: 2026-07-21
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.execution
    - attack.defense-evasion
    - attack.t1059.001
logsource:
    category: image_load
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        Image|endswith:
            - '\excel.exe'
            - '\mspub.exe'
            - '\outlook.exe'
            - '\onenote.exe'
            - '\onenoteim.exe'
            - '\powerpnt.exe'
            - '\winword.exe'
        ImageLoaded|contains:
            - '\System.Management.Automation.Dll'
            - '\System.Management.Automation.ni.Dll'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium