huntrule

Windows PowerShell ScriptBlock alerts for DSInternals cmdlets

Triggers when PowerShell script blocks include DSInternals cmdlets tied to AD/Azure AD key and password auditing or manipulation.

FreeReviewedSigma · High · v2
Product
windows
Category
ps_script
Author
Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems) (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2024-06-26
Updated
2026-07-31
AnalysisDetection

ATT&CK techniques

Execution

  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 ScriptBlock executions that contain specific DSInternals module cmdlets. These cmdlets can be used for sensitive Active Directory and Azure AD-related operations, including password and key auditing, offline ntds.dit handling, and recovery key material collection. It relies on Script Block Logging to provide the ScriptBlockText content of PowerShell execution so the listed cmdlets can be matched.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1059.001 — drag to rearrange
Suspicious PowerShell Download Cradle Spawned from Explorer via ClickFix Lure (via process_creation)
Malicious Interlock RAT FileFix Download-Cradle via PowerShell WebClient with PowerShell User-Agent (via ps_script)
Malicious Metasploit Stager Delivery via mshta Remote HTA (via process_creation)
Suspicious PowerShell Download of Disguised Payload to ProgramData
Suspicious PowerShell WebClient Download of Executable Payload
Malicious Script Host Spawning PowerShell in Gootloader Chain
Suspicious PsExec Service Launching Encoded PowerShell Payload
Suspicious PowerShell Remote Script Execution via IEX DownloadString
Malicious SharePoint ToolShell Post-Exploitation via Encoded PowerShell (via process_creation)
Windows PowerShell ScriptBlock alerts for DSInternals cmdlets
Pivot detection · T1059.001 · 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.