huntrule

Suspicious PowerShell Module Execution Using Encoded, Hidden, or Noninteractive Context (Windows)

Alerts on PowerShell module executions using encoded commands, hidden windows, or noninteractive flags to evade visibility and interaction.

FreeReviewedSigma · High · v2
Product
windows
Category
ps_module
Author
Florian Roth (Nextron Systems) (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2017-03-12
Updated
2026-07-31
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 flags PowerShell module-related executions whose ContextInfo contains indicators of encoded commands, hidden windows, or noninteractive mode. Attackers often use these flags to run payloads stealthily and reduce user interaction, while encoded parameters can obscure intent. The detection relies on Windows telemetry that records PowerShell ContextInfo strings containing the specific parameter substrings.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1059.001 — drag to rearrange
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Suspicious PowerShell Download Cradle via ClickFix Fake CAPTCHA (via process_creation)
Suspicious PowerShell EncodedCommand Spawned From Command Shell via Process Creation
Suspicious Script Download via Curl and PowerShell by Dohdoor
Malicious Mass Hyper-V Virtual Machine Shutdown via PowerShell by Kraken Ransomware
Suspicious PowerShell WebClient DownloadFile of Archive Payload (UAT-7237)
Suspicious SharePoint Worker Process Spawning Command Interpreter via ToolShell
Malicious Emmenhtal JavaScript Loader Spawning Encoded PowerShell
Suspicious Python Interpreter Launching Encoded PowerShell via subprocess
Suspicious PowerShell Module Execution Using Encoded, Hidden, or Noninteractive Context (Windows)
Pivot detection · T1059.001 · 9 related

Changelog

v2
  1. v2
    Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
  2. v1
    No changelog recorded for this version.2026-07-30

Detection content is published as a reviewed draft. Tune thresholds and exclusions against your own telemetry before enabling this rule for alerting.