Potential Dropper Script Execution Via WScript/CScript/MSHTA — Sigma Rule

Rule metadata and linked tags

Author: Margaritis Dimitrios (idea), Florian Roth (Nextron Systems), oscd.community, Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), Dave Johnson. Source status: test; severity: medium. Source dates: 2019-01-16 / 2026-02-17.

{
  "category": "process_creation",
  "product": "windows"
}

Pinned original Sigma rule · Detection Rule License 1.1

Source SHA-256: dc26167c2bcfa3e5dc17d43fcc0092c5b37dcc0214fd2ec1691ecad10c1cc6e2

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: Potential Dropper Script Execution Via WScript/CScript/MSHTA
id: cea72823-df4d-4567-950c-0b579eaf0846
related:
    - id: 1e33157c-53b1-41ad-bbcc-780b80b58288
      type: similar
status: test
description: Detects wscript/cscript/mshta executions of scripts located in user directories
references:
    - https://thedfirreport.com/2023/10/30/netsupport-intrusion-results-in-domain-compromise/
    - https://redcanary.com/blog/gootloader/
    - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2025/03/06/malvertising-campaign-leads-to-info-stealers-hosted-on-github/
author: Margaritis Dimitrios (idea), Florian Roth (Nextron Systems), oscd.community, Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), Dave Johnson
date: 2019-01-16
modified: 2026-02-17
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.t1059.005
    - attack.t1059.007
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_exec:
        Image|endswith:
            - '\wscript.exe'
            - '\cscript.exe'
            - '\mshta.exe'
    selection_paths:
        CommandLine|contains:
            - ':\Perflogs\'
            - ':\Temp\'
            - ':\Tmp\'
            - ':\Users\Public\'
            - ':\Windows\Temp\'
            - '\AppData\Local\Temp\'
            - '\AppData\Roaming\Temp\'
            - '\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\'
            - '\Temporary Internet'
            - '\Windows\Temp'
            - '%LocalAppData%\Temp\'
            - '%TEMP%'
            - '%TMP%'
    selection_ext:
        CommandLine|contains:
            - '.hta'
            - '.js'
            - '.jse'
            - '.vba'
            - '.vbe'
            - '.vbs'
            - '.wsf'
            - '.wsh'
    condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Some installers might generate a similar behavior. An initial baseline is required
level: medium

Original YAML and metadata in JSON

False positives

• Some installers might generate a similar behavior. An initial baseline is required

Source references

• https://thedfirreport.com/2023/10/30/netsupport-intrusion-results-in-domain-compromise/
• https://redcanary.com/blog/gootloader/
• https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2025/03/06/malvertising-campaign-leads-to-info-stealers-hosted-on-github/