Windows PowerShell Inline Execution via File Reads and Raw Parameters

Alerts on PowerShell command lines that inline-execute content read from files using -raw.

FreeReviewedSigma · Medium · v1

Product: windows
Category: process_creation
Author: frack113 (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published: 2022-12-25
Updated: 2026-07-30

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 flags PowerShell process command lines that include inline execution-related commands (such as iex or Invoke-Expression/Invoke-Command variants) combined with file content reading indicators (cat/Get-Content/type) and a raw parameter (" -raw"). Attackers commonly use this pattern to execute dynamically loaded code while minimizing artifacts and leveraging standard PowerShell functionality. It relies on Windows process creation telemetry, specifically the CommandLine content of spawned PowerShell processes.

Reporting behind it

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Windows PowerShell Inline Execution via File Reads and Raw Parameters

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.

windows-powershell-inline-execution-via-file-reads-and-raw-parameters-ee218c12

title: Windows PowerShell Inline Execution via File Reads and Raw Parameters
id: 5daa22f6-89a4-4e39-b955-78286eb29093
status: test
description: This rule flags PowerShell process command lines that include inline execution-related commands (such as iex or Invoke-Expression/Invoke-Command variants) combined with file content reading indicators (cat/Get-Content/type) and a raw parameter (" -raw"). Attackers commonly use this pattern to execute dynamically loaded code while minimizing artifacts and leveraging standard PowerShell functionality. It relies on Windows process creation telemetry, specifically the CommandLine content of spawned PowerShell processes.
references:
  - https://speakerdeck.com/heirhabarov/hunting-for-powershell-abuse?slide=50
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_powershell_exec_data_file.yml
author: frack113, Huntrule Team
date: 2022-12-25
tags:
  - attack.execution
  - attack.t1059.001
logsource:
  product: windows
  category: process_creation
detection:
  selection_exec:
    CommandLine|contains:
      - "iex "
      - "Invoke-Expression "
      - "Invoke-Command "
      - "icm "
  selection_read:
    CommandLine|contains:
      - "cat "
      - "get-content "
      - "type "
  selection_raw:
    CommandLine|contains: " -raw"
  condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
  - Unknown
level: medium
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: ee218c12-627a-4d27-9e30-d6fb2fe22ed2
    type: derived

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