huntrule

Windows: FakeUpdates/SocGholish execution via wscript loading a zip-based update script

Flags wscript launched from Temp update .js within a .zip to spawn cmd.exe or PowerShell on Windows.

FreeReviewedSigma · High · v5
Product
windows
Category
process_creation
Author
@kostastsale (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2022-06-16
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 identifies Windows process creation where wscript.exe is the parent, launching cmd.exe or PowerShell based on an associated execution chain. It matches a parent command line containing a local Temp path and a zip filename with an update-related .js script, along with common browser process names. This matters because it reflects malware-style staging where a script is launched from a packaged download and then hands off to command-line tooling. Telemetry required is Windows process creation events including parent image/command line and the child image.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1059.001 — drag to rearrange
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)
Suspicious In-Memory PowerShell Execution from Web Server via Automation Assembly (via image_load)
Malicious Qilin Chrome Credential Harvesting Script Execution via IPScanner (via process_creation)
Suspicious Hidden PowerShell Spawned by Script Host via process_creation
Suspicious Run Key Persistence Referencing PowerShell Script via registry_set
Malicious FIN7 Powertrash Loader Execution via Obfuscated PowerShell (via process_creation)
Suspicious XOR Obfuscated PowerShell from ClickFix Distribution
Windows: FakeUpdates/SocGholish execution via wscript loading a zip-based update script
Pivot detection · T1059.001 · 9 related

Changelog

v5
  1. v5
    Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
  2. v4
    Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
  3. v3
    Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
  4. v2
    Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
  5. 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.