huntrule

Windows PowerShell Screen Capture via CopyFromScreen

Flags PowerShell scripts containing .CopyFromScreen, indicative of desktop screen capture activity.

FreeReviewedSigma · Medium · v2
Product
windows
Category
ps_script
Author
frack113 (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2021-12-28
Updated
2026-07-31
AnalysisDetection

ATT&CK techniques

Collection

  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 PowerShell script content that includes the .CopyFromScreen method, which can be used to capture the desktop. Screen capture is a common post-compromise behavior used to collect sensitive information visible on the screen. The detection relies on script block text telemetry that records the presence of .CopyFromScreen in executed PowerShell.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1113 — drag to rearrange
Suspicious Keylog and Screenshot Files in windows-cache Directory (OtterCookie)
Suspicious RDP Shadow Session Started - Native (via rdp)
Malicious RDP Shadow Session Configuration Enabled - Registry (via registry_event)
Suspicious GoGRPC Screen Capture Log File Creation (via file_event)
Suspicious Screen Capture via PowerShell Graphics API (via process_creation)
Malicious RDP Shadow Session Started - Command (via process_creation)
Windows Registry: EnablePeriodicBackup value set for periodic system hive backups
Windows Recall Enabled by Deleting DisableAIDataAnalysis Registry Value
Windows Recall Enabled by Registry: DisableAIDataAnalysis Set to 0 (Windows)
Windows PowerShell Screen Capture via CopyFromScreen
Pivot detection · T1113 · 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.