PowerShell Mount-DiskImage with -ImagePath to Access Disk Images

Alerts on PowerShell script blocks calling Mount-DiskImage with -ImagePath, indicative of disk-image-based payload staging.

FreeReviewedSigma · Low · v2
Product
windows
Category
ps_script
Author
frack113 (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2022-02-01
Updated
2026-07-31
title: PowerShell Mount-DiskImage with -ImagePath to Access Disk Images
id: 8914eaeb-2d37-4f81-a15f-cf4f4becee70
status: test
description: This rule flags PowerShell script content that calls Mount-DiskImage with an -ImagePath parameter. Adversaries can use disk image formats (for example, .iso or .vhd) to deliver or stage payloads in a way that may bypass Mark-of-the-Web tagging. It relies on PowerShell Script Block logging telemetry that captures the script block text containing the specific command-line fragments.
references:
  - https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1553.005/T1553.005.md#atomic-test-1---mount-iso-image
  - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/storage/mount-diskimage?view=windowsserver2022-ps
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/powershell/powershell_script/posh_ps_susp_mount_diskimage.yml
author: frack113, Huntrule Team
date: 2022-02-01
tags:
  - attack.defense-impairment
  - attack.t1553.005
logsource:
  product: windows
  category: ps_script
  definition: "Requirements: Script Block Logging must be enabled"
detection:
  selection:
    ScriptBlockText|contains|all:
      - "Mount-DiskImage "
      - "-ImagePath "
  condition: selection
falsepositives:
  - Legitimate PowerShell scripts
level: low
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: 29e1c216-6408-489d-8a06-ee9d151ef819
    type: derived