Suspicious Script Interpreter Spawned by Excel via DarkGate Lure

ATT&CK techniques

Execution

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
- T1059Command and Scripting Interpreter
- T1204.002Malicious File
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects Microsoft Excel spawning a scripting interpreter such as PowerShell wscript or cscript, the initial execution DarkGate triggers when a lure workbook launches an embedded object to pull remote scripts over SMB. Office applications launching script hosts is a strong indicator of malicious document activity. Detecting this parent-child relationship exposes the DarkGate delivery stage.

Reporting behind it

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Suspicious Script Interpreter Spawned by Excel via DarkGate Lure

Pivot detection · T1204.002 · 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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