Suspicious Script Host Execution of JavaScript From a User-Writable Directory (via process_creation)

ATT&CK techniques

Execution

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
- T1059.007JavaScript
- T1204.002Malicious File
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects wscript.exe or cscript.exe running a .js or .jse file from a user-writable location such as AppData or Temp, the delivery-and-execution pattern behind JavaScript loaders like Gootloader that arrive through SEO-poisoned downloads. Malicious script-host execution from user directories is a recurring initial-access and execution behavior in the Red Canary Threat Detection Report. Detecting it surfaces the loader stage before it fetches and runs a second-stage payload.

Reporting behind it

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Suspicious Script Host Execution of JavaScript From a User-Writable Directory (via process_creation)

Pivot detection · T1059.007 · 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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