Windows: SyncAppvPublishingServer.exe execution via PowerShell script block content

ATT&CK techniques

Defense Evasion

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
- T1218System Binary Proxy Execution
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule flags PowerShell script block content that includes the string "SyncAppvPublishingServer.exe". Attackers can use this executable to evade PowerShell execution restrictions, making its presence inside PowerShell telemetry a useful indicator of stealthy process launching. The detection relies on Script Block Logging and on script block text containing the specified executable name.

Reporting behind it

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Windows: SyncAppvPublishingServer.exe execution via PowerShell script block content

Pivot detection · T1218 · 9 related

Changelog

v2

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-script-block-logging-syncappvpublishingserver-exe-execution-dddfebae

title: "Windows: SyncAppvPublishingServer.exe execution via PowerShell script block content"
id: 7bcf488d-57c8-4848-8a30-3592c92e7af0
related:
  - id: fde7929d-8beb-4a4c-b922-be9974671667
    type: derived
  - id: 9f7aa113-9da6-4a8d-907c-5f1a4b908299
    type: derived
  - id: dddfebae-c46f-439c-af7a-fdb6bde90218
    type: derived
status: test
description: This rule flags PowerShell script block content that includes the string "SyncAppvPublishingServer.exe". Attackers can use this executable to evade PowerShell execution restrictions, making its presence inside PowerShell telemetry a useful indicator of stealthy process launching. The detection relies on Script Block Logging and on script block text containing the specified executable name.
references:
  - https://lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/Binaries/Syncappvpublishingserver/
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/powershell/powershell_script/posh_ps_syncappvpublishingserver_exe.yml
author: Ensar Şamil, @sblmsrsn, OSCD Community, Huntrule Team
date: 2020-10-05
modified: 2022-12-25
tags:
  - attack.stealth
  - attack.t1218
logsource:
  product: windows
  category: ps_script
  definition: "Requirements: Script Block Logging must be enabled"
detection:
  selection:
    ScriptBlockText|contains: SyncAppvPublishingServer.exe
  condition: selection
falsepositives:
  - App-V clients
level: medium
license: DRL-1.1

Convert

This rule as a query you can run. Uses no unlock credit.

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