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PowerShell Encoded Command Execution (Living off the Land)

Detects PowerShell or pwsh.exe launched with encoded command flags (-EncodedCommand, -enc, -ec, -enco). Attackers encode commands in Base64 to obfuscate malicious payloads and bypass script-based controls. Risk is…

Description

Detects PowerShell or pwsh.exe launched with encoded command flags (-EncodedCommand, -enc, -ec, -enco). Attackers encode commands in Base64 to obfuscate malicious payloads and bypass script-based controls. Risk is elevated when a download cradle pattern is also detected. Tune AllowlistedParents for known-safe management tools such as SCCM.

Detection logic

Detection requirements

Platform
ESXiLinuxmacOSNetwork DevicesWindows

The rule states no platform. This is derived from the 2 ATT&CK techniques it maps to.

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