huntrule

Suspicious PowerShell Execution of DSInternals Cmdlets on Windows

Flags PowerShell command lines invoking specific DSInternals cmdlets that can support AD/credential and key material operations.

FreeReviewedSigma · High · v1
Product
windows
Category
process_creation
Author
Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), Nounou Mbeiri (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2024-06-26
Updated
2026-07-30
AnalysisDetection

ATT&CK techniques

Execution

  1. Recon

  2. Resource Dev

  3. Initial Access

  4. Execution

  5. Persistence

  6. Priv Esc

  7. Defense Evasion

  8. Cred Access

  9. Discovery

  10. Lateral Movement

  11. Collection

  12. C2

  13. Exfiltration

  14. Impact

What it detects

This rule identifies Windows process executions where the PowerShell command line contains DSInternals module cmdlets related to Active Directory and related credential/key operations. An attacker may use these cmdlets to enumerate domain objects and keys, transform password material, or interact with stored backup/NTDS artifacts that can support credential access or directory manipulation. Telemetry relies on process creation events with a captured command line that includes the specified DSInternals function names.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1059.001 — drag to rearrange
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Malicious Metasploit Stager Delivery via mshta Remote HTA (via process_creation)
Suspicious PowerShell Download of Disguised Payload to ProgramData
Suspicious PowerShell WebClient Download of Executable Payload
Malicious Script Host Spawning PowerShell in Gootloader Chain
Suspicious PsExec Service Launching Encoded PowerShell Payload
Suspicious PowerShell Remote Script Execution via IEX DownloadString
Malicious SharePoint ToolShell Post-Exploitation via Encoded PowerShell (via process_creation)
Suspicious In-Memory PowerShell Execution from Web Server via Automation Assembly (via image_load)
Suspicious PowerShell Execution of DSInternals Cmdlets on Windows
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.