Powershell MsXml COM Object — Sigma Rule

Rule metadata and linked tags

Author: frack113, MatilJ. Source status: test; severity: medium. Source dates: 2022-01-19 / 2022-05-19.

{
  "product": "windows",
  "category": "ps_script",
  "definition": "Requirements: Script Block Logging must be enabled"
}

Pinned original Sigma rule · Detection Rule License 1.1

Source SHA-256: ceee9e0f8f6df696887fe6efe20f2afb1a7eb84bd899e31b6e62dc7f377f8241

Detection logic

Original source YAML. Source-tag agreement is not proof of complete semantic coverage. This rule has not been compiled for a SIEM backend or validated against live telemetry here.

title: Powershell MsXml COM Object
id: 78aa1347-1517-4454-9982-b338d6df8343
status: test
description: |
    Adversaries may abuse PowerShell commands and scripts for execution.
    PowerShell is a powerful interactive command-line interface and scripting environment included in the Windows operating system. (Citation: TechNet PowerShell)
    Adversaries can use PowerShell to perform a number of actions, including discovery of information and execution of code
references:
    - https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1059.001/T1059.001.md#atomic-test-7---powershell-msxml-com-object---with-prompt
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/desktop/ms766431(v=vs.85)
    - https://www.trendmicro.com/en_id/research/22/e/uncovering-a-kingminer-botnet-attack-using-trend-micro-managed-x.html
author: frack113, MatilJ
date: 2022-01-19
modified: 2022-05-19
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-Object'
            - '-ComObject'
            - 'MsXml2.'
            - 'XmlHttp'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate administrative script
level: medium

Original YAML and metadata in JSON

False positives

• Legitimate administrative script

Source references

• https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1059.001/T1059.001.md#atomic-test-7---powershell-msxml-com-object---with-prompt
• https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/desktop/ms766431(v=vs.85)
• https://www.trendmicro.com/en_id/research/22/e/uncovering-a-kingminer-botnet-attack-using-trend-micro-managed-x.html