Detect Use of cmd exe to Launch Script Interpreters
The following detects the execution of cscript.exe or wscript.exe processes spawned by cmd.exe, leveraging Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) telemetry mapped to the Endpoint data model, with additional contextual…
Description
The following detects the execution of cscript.exe or wscript.exe processes spawned by cmd.exe, leveraging Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) telemetry mapped to the Endpoint data model, with additional contextual filtering to improve fidelity and reduce false positives. It focuses on executions originating from user-writable directories such as Users, AppData, Temp, and Downloads, which are commonly abused by attackers to stage and execute malicious scripts, while excluding trusted system paths like C:\Windows\System32\ and C:\Program Files\ that are typically associated with legitimate activity. The detection also filters out service accounts (e.g., accounts ending with $ or known naming conventions) to minimize noise from automated processes and incorporates command-line context to better assess script execution patterns and identify potentially suspicious behavior.
Detection logic
Detection requirements
- Platform
- Windows
The rule states no platform. This is derived from the ATT&CK technique it maps to.
- Log source category
- crowdstrike_processrollup2sysmon_eventid_1windows_event_log_security_4688
Known benign triggers
- This detection may still generate alerts from legitimate administrative or enterprise activity, particularly in environments that rely on logon scripts, software deployment tools (e.g., SCCM, Intune), legacy applications, or IT automation frameworks that execute scripts via cmd.exe. Some organizations may also have internally developed scripts that run from user-writable directories, which can appear suspicious but are benign. Additionally, environments with non-standard application installations or portable tools may trigger this detection.
MITRE ATT&CK mappings
0 exclusive techniques.This is coverage no other published rule has; it is not this rule's total technique count.
References
| Reference | Cited by |
|---|---|
| attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1059/ | 7from 2 sources |
| redcanary.com/threat-detection-report/techniques/windows-command-shell/ | Only this detection cites it |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- b89919ed-fe5f-492c-b139-95dbb162039e
- Tagged by the source as
- AzorultEmotet Malware DHS Report TA18-201ASuspicious Command-Line ExecutionsEndpointendpointSplunk CloudSplunk EnterpriseSplunk Enterprise Securityendpoint
Licence
- Published under
- Apache License 2.0Read the licence
- Attribution
- Required
- Obtained under
- Apache-2.0Read the origin licence
Authorship
- Written by
- Published
- Aug 26, 2026
- Version
- 1