PowerShell Keylogging Script

Last updated 2 months ago on 2025-03-20
Created 4 years ago on 2021-10-15

About

Detects the use of Win32 API Functions that can be used to capture user keystrokes in PowerShell scripts. Attackers use this technique to capture user input, looking for credentials and/or other valuable data.
Tags
Domain: EndpointOS: WindowsUse Case: Threat DetectionTactic: CollectionData Source: PowerShell LogsLanguage: kuery
Severity
high
Risk Score
73
MITRE ATT&CK™

Collection (TA0009)(opens in a new tab or window)

Execution (TA0002)(opens in a new tab or window)

License
Elastic License v2(opens in a new tab or window)

Definition

Rule Type
Query (Kibana Query Language)
Integration Pack
Prebuilt Security Detection Rules
Index Patterns
winlogbeat-*logs-windows.powershell*
Related Integrations

windows(opens in a new tab or window)

Query
event.category:process and host.os.type:windows and
  (
   powershell.file.script_block_text : (GetAsyncKeyState or NtUserGetAsyncKeyState or GetKeyboardState or "Get-Keystrokes") or
   powershell.file.script_block_text : (
        (SetWindowsHookA or SetWindowsHookW or SetWindowsHookEx or SetWindowsHookExA or NtUserSetWindowsHookEx) and
        (GetForegroundWindow or GetWindowTextA or GetWindowTextW or "WM_KEYBOARD_LL" or "WH_MOUSE_LL")
   )
   ) and not user.id : "S-1-5-18"
  and not powershell.file.script_block_text : (
    "sentinelbreakpoints" and "Set-PSBreakpoint"
  )

Install detection rules in Elastic Security

Detect PowerShell Keylogging Script in the Elastic Security detection engine by installing this rule into your Elastic Stack.

To setup this rule, check out the installation guide for Prebuilt Security Detection Rules(opens in a new tab or window).