Suspicious Windows Script Host Spawning PowerShell via Gootloader

ATT&CK techniques

Execution

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
- T1059.001PowerShell
- T1059.005Visual Basic
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects wscript.exe spawning PowerShell, the execution chain used by Gootloader after a user runs a malicious script delivered through SEO poisoning. The script host launches PowerShell to unpack and run the next stage in memory. Script host to PowerShell chains are uncommon in normal environments and warrant scrutiny.

Reporting behind it

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Suspicious Windows Script Host Spawning PowerShell via Gootloader

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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