PowerShell executes ADRecon.ps1 AD reconnaissance functions and writes ADRecon-Report.xlsx

Detects PowerShell ADRecon reconnaissance script content by matching AD discovery functions and the default ADRecon report output name.

FreeReviewedSigma · High · v2

Product: windows
Category: ps_script
Author: Bhabesh Raj (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published: 2021-07-16
Updated: 2026-07-31

Analysis Detection

ATT&CK techniques

Execution

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

What it detects

This rule identifies PowerShell script execution consistent with the ADRecon.ps1 tool by matching specific ScriptBlock content used for Active Directory discovery (e.g., Get-ADRGPO, Get-ADRDomainController) and the generated output file name ADRecon-Report.xlsx. Such reconnaissance enables attackers to enumerate directory objects and infrastructure targets before follow-on exploitation. It relies on Script Block Logging telemetry from PowerShell to observe the relevant function names and report artifact reference within script blocks.

Reporting behind it

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PowerShell executes ADRecon.ps1 AD reconnaissance functions and writes ADRecon-Report.xlsx

Pivot detection · T1059.001 · 9 related

Changelog

v2
Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
v1
No changelog recorded for this version.2026-07-30

Detection content is published as a reviewed draft. Tune thresholds and exclusions against your own telemetry before enabling this rule for alerting.

windows-powershell-execution-of-adrecon-ps1-for-active-directory-reconnaissance-bf72941a

title: PowerShell executes ADRecon.ps1 AD reconnaissance functions and writes ADRecon-Report.xlsx
id: eff1ce84-f0cb-41e9-8124-34e3d115bb6a
status: test
description: This rule identifies PowerShell script execution consistent with the ADRecon.ps1 tool by matching specific ScriptBlock content used for Active Directory discovery (e.g., Get-ADRGPO, Get-ADRDomainController) and the generated output file name ADRecon-Report.xlsx. Such reconnaissance enables attackers to enumerate directory objects and infrastructure targets before follow-on exploitation. It relies on Script Block Logging telemetry from PowerShell to observe the relevant function names and report artifact reference within script blocks.
references:
  - https://github.com/sense-of-security/ADRecon/blob/11881a24e9c8b207f31b56846809ce1fb189bcc9/ADRecon.ps1
  - https://bi-zone.medium.com/from-pentest-to-apt-attack-cybercriminal-group-fin7-disguises-its-malware-as-an-ethical-hackers-c23c9a75e319
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/powershell/powershell_script/posh_ps_adrecon_execution.yml
author: Bhabesh Raj, Huntrule Team
date: 2021-07-16
modified: 2022-09-06
tags:
  - attack.discovery
  - attack.execution
  - attack.t1059.001
logsource:
  product: windows
  category: ps_script
  definition: "Requirements: Script Block Logging must be enabled"
detection:
  selection:
    ScriptBlockText|contains:
      - Function Get-ADRExcelComOb
      - Get-ADRGPO
      - Get-ADRDomainController
      - ADRecon-Report.xlsx
  condition: selection
falsepositives:
  - Unknown
level: high
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: bf72941a-cba0-41ea-b18c-9aca3925690d
    type: derived

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