Windows Process Command Line: Suspicious Inline VBScript with UN2452-Like Keywords

Alerts on Windows command lines containing inline VBScript keywords and registry access indicators matching the UNC2452 UN2452 pattern.

FreeReviewedSigma · High · v5

Product: windows
Category: process_creation
Author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems) (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published: 2021-03-05
Updated: 2026-07-31

Analysis Detection

ATT&CK techniques

Persistence → Priv Esc

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
- T1547.001Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder
Priv Esc
- T1547.001Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule flags Windows process creations whose command lines contain a set of inline VBScript keywords commonly associated with UNC2452-style scripting behavior. The combination of VBScript execution, object creation, registry reading, and window-closing patterns can indicate automated script-driven persistence or privilege-related activity. It relies on process creation telemetry, specifically the full CommandLine content and a negative match excluding startup Run key paths.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1547.001 — drag to rearrange

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Windows Process Command Line: Suspicious Inline VBScript with UN2452-Like Keywords

Pivot detection · T1547.001 · 9 related

Changelog

v5
Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
v4
Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
v3
Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
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-process-creation-suspicious-inline-vbscript-unc2452-un2452-pattern-20c3f09d

title: "Windows Process Command Line: Suspicious Inline VBScript with UN2452-Like Keywords"
id: 09adc80c-62b3-4dbc-962b-5264d9a5b7e8
status: test
description: This rule flags Windows process creations whose command lines contain a set of inline VBScript keywords commonly associated with UNC2452-style scripting behavior. The combination of VBScript execution, object creation, registry reading, and window-closing patterns can indicate automated script-driven persistence or privilege-related activity. It relies on process creation telemetry, specifically the full CommandLine content and a negative match excluding startup Run key paths.
references:
  - https://www.microsoft.com/security/blog/2021/03/04/goldmax-goldfinder-sibot-analyzing-nobelium-malware/
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules-emerging-threats/2020/TA/SolarWinds-Supply-Chain/proc_creation_win_apt_unc2452_vbscript_pattern.yml
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems), Huntrule Team
date: 2021-03-05
modified: 2022-10-09
tags:
  - attack.privilege-escalation
  - attack.persistence
  - attack.t1547.001
  - detection.emerging-threats
logsource:
  category: process_creation
  product: windows
detection:
  selection:
    CommandLine|contains|all:
      - Execute
      - CreateObject
      - RegRead
      - window.close
      - \Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
  filter:
    CommandLine|contains: \Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
  condition: selection and not filter
falsepositives:
  - Unknown
level: high
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: 20c3f09d-c53d-4e85-8b74-6aa50e2f1b61
    type: derived

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