PowerShell Security

Protecting PowerShell scripts and commands from abuse in cyberattacks.

Understanding:

PowerShell is a powerful scripting language and command-line shell built into Windows, often used for system administration and automation. However, attackers frequently exploit PowerShell to execute malicious scripts, evade detection, and establish persistence in compromised environments. Securing PowerShell is critical to prevent fileless malware attacks, privilege escalation, and lateral movement.

Common Applications and Use Cases:

System Administration & Automation – Automating tasks, managing configurations, and remote administration.
Cyberattacks & Fileless Malware – Attackers use obfuscated PowerShell scripts to execute commands directly in memory.
Threat Hunting & Forensics – PowerShell logs and event tracking help in investigating security incidents.

Best Practices and Security Considerations:

Restrict PowerShell Execution Policies – Use AllSigned or Restricted mode to prevent unauthorized scripts.
Enable PowerShell Logging – Capture logs using Script Block Logging and Module Logging for forensic analysis.
Disable Unused Features – Restrict Invoke-Expression, DownloadFile, and Remote Execution when not needed.
Monitor for Obfuscated Commands – Attackers often use base64-encoded payloads to bypass detection.