Windows Security 4697: Obfuscated PowerShell via rundll32 shell32 shellexec_rundll

Alert on Security EID 4697 where service installation references rundll32/shell32.dll to launch PowerShell.

FreeReviewedSigma · Medium · v2

Product: windows
Service: security
Author: Timur Zinniatullin, oscd.community (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published: 2020-10-18
Updated: 2026-07-31

ATT&CK techniques

Execution → Defense Evasion

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
- T1059.001PowerShell
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
- T1027Obfuscated Files or Information
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule flags Windows System Security Extension events where service execution references rundll32 (rundll32.exe) with shell32.dll and the shellexec_rundll entry, and the command line contains the string powershell. Attackers may use rundll32 to launch PowerShell in a way that blends into legitimate system behavior and can hinder straightforward command-line analysis. It relies on Windows Security audit EventID 4697 telemetry, matching the recorded service file name content and required substrings.

Reporting behind it

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Suspicious PS1Bot PowerShell Payload Written to ProgramData (via file_event)

Malicious Non-Interactive Encoded PowerShell Stager (via process_creation)

Suspicious Hidden PowerShell Executing Substring of Dropped File

PowerShell Encoded or Download-Cradle Command Line (via process_creation)

Obfuscated Encoded PowerShell Payload Deployed - PowerShell (via powershell)

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Windows Security 4697: Obfuscated PowerShell via rundll32 shell32 shellexec_rundll

Pivot detection · T1027 · 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-security-4697-obfuscated-powershell-execution-via-rundll32-shell32-dll-f241cf1b

title: "Windows Security 4697: Obfuscated PowerShell via rundll32 shell32 shellexec_rundll"
id: 0f5a6917-77a4-46a8-991e-3101ab1e3664
related:
  - id: 11b52f18-aaec-4d60-9143-5dd8cc4706b9
    type: derived
  - id: f241cf1b-3a6b-4e1a-b4f9-133c00dd95ca
    type: derived
status: test
description: This rule flags Windows System Security Extension events where service execution references rundll32 (rundll32.exe) with shell32.dll and the shellexec_rundll entry, and the command line contains the string powershell. Attackers may use rundll32 to launch PowerShell in a way that blends into legitimate system behavior and can hinder straightforward command-line analysis. It relies on Windows Security audit EventID 4697 telemetry, matching the recorded service file name content and required substrings.
references:
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/issues/1009
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/builtin/security/win_security_invoke_obfuscation_via_rundll_services_security.yml
author: Timur Zinniatullin, oscd.community, Huntrule Team
date: 2020-10-18
modified: 2022-11-29
tags:
  - attack.stealth
  - attack.t1027
  - attack.execution
  - attack.t1059.001
logsource:
  product: windows
  service: security
  definition: The 'System Security Extension' audit subcategory need to be enabled to log the EID 4697
detection:
  selection:
    EventID: 4697
    ServiceFileName|contains|all:
      - rundll32.exe
      - shell32.dll
      - shellexec_rundll
      - powershell
  condition: selection
falsepositives:
  - Unknown
level: medium
license: DRL-1.1

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