Detect Command and Scripting Interpreter in Microsoft Sentinel
Adversaries may abuse command and script interpreters to execute commands, scripts, or binaries. These interfaces and languages provide ways of interacting with computer systems and are a common feature across many different platforms. Most systems come with some built-in command-line interface and scripting capabilities, for example, macOS and Linux distributions include some flavor of Unix Shell while Windows installations include the Windows Command Shell and PowerShell. There are also cross-platform interpreters such as Python, as well as those commonly associated with client applications such as JavaScript and Visual Basic. Adversaries may abuse these technologies in various ways as a means of executing arbitrary commands.
MITRE ATT&CK
- Tactic
- Execution
- Technique
- T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter
- Canonical reference
- https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1059/
KQL Detection Query
let ScriptEngines = dynamic(["powershell.exe", "pwsh.exe", "cmd.exe", "wscript.exe", "cscript.exe", "mshta.exe", "python.exe", "python3.exe", "perl.exe", "ruby.exe", "lua.exe", "node.exe", "osascript", "bash", "sh", "zsh", "AutoHotkey.exe", "AutoIt3.exe"]);
let SuspiciousParents = dynamic(["winword.exe", "excel.exe", "powerpnt.exe", "outlook.exe", "msaccess.exe", "mspub.exe", "visio.exe", "onenote.exe", "explorer.exe", "wmiprvse.exe", "svchost.exe"]);
DeviceProcessEvents
| where Timestamp > ago(24h)
| where FileName has_any (ScriptEngines)
| where InitiatingProcessFileName has_any (SuspiciousParents)
| extend IsOfficeParent = InitiatingProcessFileName has_any ("winword.exe", "excel.exe", "powerpnt.exe", "outlook.exe")
| extend IsWMI = InitiatingProcessFileName =~ "wmiprvse.exe"
| extend IsSvchost = InitiatingProcessFileName =~ "svchost.exe"
| project Timestamp, DeviceName, AccountName, FileName, ProcessCommandLine, InitiatingProcessFileName, InitiatingProcessCommandLine, IsOfficeParent, IsWMI, IsSvchost
| sort by Timestamp descDetects suspicious execution of scripting interpreters spawned by unusual parent processes using Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. Focuses on script engines (PowerShell, cmd, wscript, cscript, mshta, python, node, etc.) being launched from Office applications, WMI, or service host processes, which are common indicators of malicious macro execution, lateral movement, or exploitation.
Data Sources
Required Tables
False Positives & Tuning
- Legitimate Office macros that invoke scripting engines for approved business automation
- WMI-based management tools (SCCM, Intune) that spawn script interpreters for system configuration
- Svchost launching script interpreters as part of scheduled tasks or Windows Update processes
Other platforms for T1059
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 1Office Macro Simulation — Word spawns PowerShell
Expected signal: Sysmon Event ID 1: Process Create for cmd.exe spawning powershell.exe. Security Event ID 4688 with command line details showing the full chain.
- Test 2WScript Execution of VBScript File
Expected signal: Sysmon Event ID 1: Process Create with Image=wscript.exe and CommandLine containing the .vbs file path. Sysmon Event ID 11: File Create for the .vbs file in the temp directory.
- Test 3MSHTA Executing Inline VBScript
Expected signal: Sysmon Event ID 1: Process Create with Image=mshta.exe and CommandLine containing 'vbscript:Execute'. Child process creation event for calc.exe spawned by mshta.exe.
References (6)
- https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1059/
- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/defender-endpoint/advanced-hunting-deviceprocessevents-table
- https://docs.splunk.com/Documentation/SplunkCloud/latest/SearchReference/CommonStatsFunctions
- https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/master/atomics/T1059/T1059.md
- https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/tree/master/rules/windows/process_creation
- https://lolbas-project.github.io/
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