Forensic Implications

Investigating script-based bypasses requires analyzing various artifacts. Key areas include:

• Script Files: Locating the actual script files (.ps1, .bat, .vbs, .py, .au3, .hta) on disk. Check common locations like Temp folders, user profiles, or download directories.

• Execution Logs:

  • PowerShell: Check Event Logs (especially Windows PowerShell operational log, Event IDs 400, 403, 800, 4103, 4104 for script block logging if enabled), PSReadline history file (ConsoleHost_history.txt).

  • CMD/Batch: Prefetch entries for cmd.exe, potentially parent/child process relationships in security event logs (4688).

  • VBS/JScript: Prefetch for wscript.exe or cscript.exe, event logs.

  • HTA: Prefetch for mshta.exe, browser download history, file system artifacts.

  • Python/AutoIt: Prefetch for python.exe or AutoIt3.exe, installation paths, associated script files.

• Memory Analysis: Strings within the interpreter processes (powershell.exe, cmd.exe, etc.) might contain script content or commands.

• Registry: Evidence of persistence mechanisms set up by scripts (e.g., Run keys, scheduled tasks).

Detection efforts often focus on monitoring script execution, analyzing script content (especially for obfuscation or suspicious API calls), and examining logs from scripting engines or related system events.