Suspicious Registry-Free Process Scope COR_PROFILER (via ps_script)

title: Suspicious Registry-Free Process Scope COR_PROFILER (via ps_script)
id: f9c38fea-dbb4-5794-916a-8c58b87a6246
status: stable
description: 'This rule detects threat actors may abuse the COR_PROFILER environment variable to hijack the execution flow of programs that load the .NET CLR. The COR_PROFILER is a .NET Framework feature which enables developers to specify an unmanaged (or external of .NET) profiling DLL to be loaded into each .NET process that loads the Common Language Runtime (CLR). These profiliers are designed to monitor, troubleshoot, and debug managed code executed by the .NET CLR. (Citation: Microsoft Profiling Mar 2017) (Citation: Microsoft COR_PROFILER Feb 2013)'
references:
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1574/012/
    - https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1574.012/T1574.012.md#atomic-test-3---registry-free-process-scope-cor_profiler
author: Huntrule Team
date: 2026-07-25
tags:
    - attack.privilege-escalation
    - attack.persistence
    - attack.execution
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1574.012
logsource:
    product: windows
    category: ps_script
    definition: 'Requirements: Script Block Logging must be enabled'
detection:
    selection:
        ScriptBlockText|contains|all:
            - '$env:COR_ENABLE_PROFILING'
            - '$env:COR_PROFILER'
            - '$env:COR_PROFILER_PATH'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium