Suspicious Use Of Web Request Commands And Cmdlets - ScriptBlock (via ps_script)

title: Suspicious Use Of Web Request Commands And Cmdlets - ScriptBlock (via ps_script)
id: bf187849-b166-5663-adbf-f4e91029a464
status: stable
description: This rule detects the use of various web request commands with commandline tools and Windows PowerShell cmdlets (including aliases) via PowerShell scriptblock logs
references:
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1059/001/
    - https://4sysops.com/archives/use-powershell-to-download-a-file-with-http-https-and-ftp/
    - https://blog.jourdant.me/post/3-ways-to-download-files-with-powershell
author: Huntrule Team
date: 2026-07-13
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.t1059.001
logsource:
    product: windows
    category: ps_script
    definition: 'Requirements: Script Block Logging must be enabled'
detection:
    selection:
        ScriptBlockText|contains:
            - '[System.Net.WebRequest]::create'
            - 'curl '
            - 'Invoke-RestMethod'
            - 'Invoke-WebRequest'
            - ' irm '
            - 'iwr '
            - 'Resume-BitsTransfer'
            - 'Start-BitsTransfer'
            - 'wget '
            - 'WinHttp.WinHttpRequest'
    filter:
        Path|startswith: 'C:\Packages\Plugins\Microsoft.GuestConfiguration.ConfigurationforWindows\'
    condition: selection and not filter
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium