Windows PowerShell Remote Session Creation via New-PSSession

Flags PowerShell usage of New-PSSession with a ComputerName in script block logging, indicating remote session creation.

FreeReviewedSigma · Medium · v2

Product: windows
Category: ps_script
Author: frack113 (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published: 2022-01-06
Updated: 2026-07-31

Analysis Detection

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 script block content that includes the New-PSSession cmdlet with a ComputerName parameter, indicating creation of a remote PowerShell session. Attackers can use remote sessions to execute commands and manage systems over the network, often as part of broader post-compromise activity. It relies on PowerShell Script Block Logging telemetry capturing ScriptBlockText.

Reporting behind it

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Windows PowerShell Remote Session Creation via New-PSSession

Pivot detection · T1059.001 · 9 related

Changelog

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-scriptblock-new-pssession-remote-session-creation-a0edd39f

title: Windows PowerShell Remote Session Creation via New-PSSession
id: 349f1d2a-47be-4167-906a-f6817383d223
status: test
description: This rule flags PowerShell script block content that includes the New-PSSession cmdlet with a ComputerName parameter, indicating creation of a remote PowerShell session. Attackers can use remote sessions to execute commands and manage systems over the network, often as part of broader post-compromise activity. It relies on PowerShell Script Block Logging telemetry capturing ScriptBlockText.
references:
  - https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1059.001/T1059.001.md#atomic-test-10---powershell-invoke-downloadcradle
  - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.core/new-pssession?view=powershell-7.4
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/powershell/powershell_script/posh_ps_remote_session_creation.yml
author: frack113, Huntrule Team
date: 2022-01-06
modified: 2023-01-02
tags:
  - attack.execution
  - attack.t1059.001
logsource:
  product: windows
  category: ps_script
  definition: "Requirements: Script Block Logging must be enabled"
detection:
  selection:
    ScriptBlockText|contains|all:
      - New-PSSession
      - "-ComputerName "
  condition: selection
falsepositives:
  - Legitimate administrative script
level: medium
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: a0edd39f-a0c6-4c17-8141-261f958e8d8f
    type: derived

Convert

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