Detect AutoHotKey & AutoIT in Google Chronicle
Adversaries may execute commands and perform malicious tasks using AutoIT and AutoHotKey automation scripts. AutoIT and AutoHotkey (AHK) are scripting languages that enable users to automate Windows tasks such as clicking buttons, entering text, and managing programs. Adversaries may use AHK (.ahk) and AutoIT (.au3) scripts to execute malicious code, deploy keyloggers, and deliver phishing payloads. These scripts can be compiled into self-contained executables. Threat actors including DarkGate, Lumma Stealer, APT39, and XLoader have leveraged AutoIT and AutoHotKey for malware delivery and execution.
MITRE ATT&CK
- Tactic
- Execution
- Technique
- T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter
- Sub-technique
- T1059.010 AutoHotKey & AutoIT
- Canonical reference
- https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1059/010/
YARA-L Detection Query
rule autoit_ahk_execution_t1059_010 {
meta:
author = "Argus Detection Engineering"
description = "Detects AutoIT and AutoHotKey script execution indicative of MITRE ATT&CK T1059.010. Covers DarkGate, Lumma Stealer, APT39, and XLoader TTPs."
severity = "HIGH"
priority = "HIGH"
mitre_attack_tactic = "Execution"
mitre_attack_technique = "T1059.010"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1059/010/"
created = "2026-04-16"
events:
$e.metadata.event_type = "PROCESS_LAUNCH"
(
re.regex($e.target.process.file.full_path, `(?i)(AutoIt3\.exe|AutoHotkey\.exe|AutoHotkeyU64\.exe|AutoHotkeyU32\.exe)$`) or
re.regex($e.target.process.command_line, `(?i)(AutoIt3\.exe|AutoHotkey|AutoIt|AutoHotkeyU)`) or
re.regex($e.target.process.command_line, `(?i)\.(au3|ahk)(\s|$|"|')`) or
re.regex($e.target.process.command_line, `(?i)(URLDownloadToFile|_WinHttpSimpleRequest|ShellExecute\(|FileInstall\(|DllCall\()`) or
re.regex($e.target.process.command_line, `(?i)(Hotkey,|SetKeyDelay,|SendInput,|SendRaw,|Send,)`)
)
match:
$e.principal.hostname over 5m
outcome:
$risk_score = max(
if(re.regex($e.target.process.command_line, `(?i)(\\Temp\\|\\tmp\\|AppData)`), 20, 0) +
if(re.regex($e.target.process.command_line, `(?i)(URLDownloadToFile|_WinHttpSimpleRequest|Inet\.au3)`), 20, 0) +
if(re.regex($e.target.process.command_line, `(?i)DllCall\(`), 20, 0) +
if(re.regex($e.target.process.command_line, `(?i)(Hotkey,|SetKeyDelay,|SendInput,)`), 20, 0) +
if(re.regex($e.target.process.file.full_path, `(?i)(AutoIt3\.exe|AutoHotkey)`), 10, 0)
)
$hostname = $e.principal.hostname
$username = $e.principal.user.userid
$process_name = $e.target.process.file.full_path
$command_line = $e.target.process.command_line
$parent_process = $e.principal.process.file.full_path
condition:
$e and $risk_score > 20
}Chronicle YARA-L 2.0 rule detecting AutoIT and AutoHotKey execution aligned with T1059.010. Uses UDM PROCESS_LAUNCH events to identify executions of AutoIT/AHK interpreters or commands containing scripting patterns associated with malicious use. Risk scoring elevates alerts when temp-path execution, network download, DLL injection, or keylogging patterns are present.
Data Sources
Required Tables
False Positives & Tuning
- IT automation tooling built on AutoHotKey for service desk workflows including automated form submission or ticketing system integrations
- Software deployment pipelines that use AutoIT-compiled executables to automate silent installations of applications across the enterprise fleet
- Security awareness or red team training exercises where AutoIT/AHK scripts are intentionally executed in controlled environments
Other platforms for T1059.010
Testing Methodology
Validate this detection against 3 adversary techniques from Atomic Red Team. Each test below lists the behaviour to exercise and the telemetry you should expect to see. Executable commands and cleanup steps are available with Pro.
- Test 1AutoHotKey Script Execution
Expected signal: Sysmon Event ID 1: Process Create for AutoHotkey.exe with .ahk file in CommandLine. Sysmon Event ID 11: File Create for the .ahk script in Temp directory.
- Test 2AutoIT Script Execution
Expected signal: Sysmon Event ID 1: Process Create for AutoIt3.exe with .au3 file in CommandLine. Sysmon Event ID 11: File Create for the .au3 script in Temp directory.
- Test 3AutoIT Compiled Executable Detection
Expected signal: Sysmon Event ID 1: PowerShell process creation. The script scans for compiled AutoIT executables by checking PE metadata.
References (5)
- https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1059/010/
- https://www.splunk.com/en_us/blog/security/enter-the-gates-an-analysis-of-the-darkgate-autoit-loader.html
- https://www.autoitscript.com/autoit3/docs/intro/running.htm
- https://www.autohotkey.com/docs/v1/Program.htm
- https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/master/atomics/T1059.010/T1059.010.md
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