Suspicious PowerShell Spawned by WScript via PhantomVAI Loader (via process_creation)

ATT&CK techniques

Execution

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
- T1059.001PowerShell
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects PowerShell executed as a child of WScript, an early link in the PhantomVAI loader chain that proceeds through msedge and MSBuild to injection. Script-host to PowerShell transitions are a common malware execution handoff. Detecting this chain catches the loader before the final infostealer injection stage.

Reporting behind it

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Suspicious PowerShell Spawned by WScript via PhantomVAI Loader (via process_creation)

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.

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