huntrule

Windows Security Event 4697 PowerShell Launch via cmd/stdin Obfuscation

Alerts on service creation events that run PowerShell through cmd with stdin-style obfuscation markers.

FreeReviewedSigma · High · v2
Product
windows
Service
security
Author
Jonathan Cheong, oscd.community (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2020-10-15
Updated
2026-07-31
AnalysisDetection

ATT&CK techniques

Execution → Defense Evasion

  1. Recon

  2. Resource Dev

  3. Initial Access

  4. Execution

  5. Persistence

  6. Priv Esc

  7. Defense Evasion

  8. Cred Access

  9. Discovery

  10. Lateral Movement

  11. Collection

  12. C2

  13. Exfiltration

  14. Impact

What it detects

This rule flags Windows systems where a Service Control Manager-created service (EventID 4697) contains a command-line referencing cmd and PowerShell, including patterns consistent with obfuscated stdin-driven execution. Attackers may use stdin or stdin-like constructs to conceal the final command or payload before execution, reducing visibility during investigation. It relies on Security log telemetry from EventID 4697 and string matches within the recorded ServiceFileName content.

Reporting behind it

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Malicious Emmenhtal JavaScript Loader Spawning Encoded PowerShell
Suspicious Python Interpreter Launching Encoded PowerShell via subprocess
Suspicious PS1Bot PowerShell Payload Written to ProgramData (via file_event)
Malicious Non-Interactive Encoded PowerShell Stager (via process_creation)
Suspicious Hidden PowerShell Executing Substring of Dropped File
PowerShell Encoded or Download-Cradle Command Line (via process_creation)
Obfuscated Encoded PowerShell Payload Deployed - PowerShell (via powershell)
Suspicious PowerShell AES Decryption and Reflective Method Invocation in SolarMarker
Windows Security Event 4697 PowerShell Launch via cmd/stdin Obfuscation
Pivot detection · T1027 · 9 related

Changelog

v2
  1. v2
    Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
  2. 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.