huntrule

Windows Process Creation: PowerShell Import-Module from Temp/AppData/Public Paths

Alerts on PowerShell Import-Module calls that load modules from Temp, AppData, or Public directories on Windows.

FreeReviewedSigma · Medium · v1
Product
windows
Category
process_creation
Author
Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems) (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2023-01-10
Updated
2026-07-30
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 Windows process creation events where the PowerShell command line includes Import-Module (or ipmo) referencing module paths under $Env:Temp, $Env:Appdata, or C:\Users\Public. Attackers often import modules from writable or user-accessible locations to run attacker-controlled code and evade straightforward script inspection. Telemetry relies on process creation logging that captures the full PowerShell command line.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1059.001 — drag to rearrange
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Suspicious PowerShell Download Cradle Spawned from Explorer via ClickFix Lure (via process_creation)
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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
Windows Process Creation: PowerShell Import-Module from Temp/AppData/Public Paths
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.