---
title: Deprecated - PowerShell Script with Remote Execution Capabilities via WinRM
description: Identifies the use of Cmdlets and methods related to remote execution activities using WinRM. Attackers can abuse WinRM to perform lateral movement using...
url: https://www.elastic.co/docs/reference/security/prebuilt-rules/rules_building_block/lateral_movement_posh_winrm_activity
products:
  - Elastic Security
---

# Deprecated - PowerShell Script with Remote Execution Capabilities via WinRM
Identifies the use of Cmdlets and methods related to remote execution activities using WinRM. Attackers can abuse WinRM
to perform lateral movement using built-in tools.
**Rule type**: query
**Rule indices**:
- winlogbeat-*
- logs-windows.powershell*

**Rule Severity**: low
**Risk Score**: 21
**Runs every**: 60m
**Searches indices from**: `now-119m`
**Maximum alerts per execution**: 100
**References**:
- [[https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1021/006/](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1021/006/)](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1021/006/)
- [[https://github.com/cobbr/SharpSploit/blob/master/SharpSploit/LateralMovement/PowerShellRemoting.cs](https://github.com/cobbr/SharpSploit/blob/master/SharpSploit/LateralMovement/PowerShellRemoting.cs)](https://github.com/cobbr/SharpSploit/blob/master/SharpSploit/LateralMovement/PowerShellRemoting.cs)
- [[https://github.com/BC-SECURITY/Empire/blob/main/empire/server/modules/powershell/lateral_movement/invoke_psremoting.py](https://github.com/BC-SECURITY/Empire/blob/main/empire/server/modules/powershell/lateral_movement/invoke_psremoting.py)](https://github.com/BC-SECURITY/Empire/blob/main/empire/server/modules/powershell/lateral_movement/invoke_psremoting.py)

**Tags**:
- Domain: Endpoint
- OS: Windows
- Use Case: Threat Detection
- Tactic: Lateral Movement
- Tactic: Execution
- Data Source: PowerShell Logs
- Rule Type: BBR
- Rule Type: Custom Query (KQL)
- Platform: Windows

**Version**: 214
**Rule authors**:
- Elastic

**Rule license**: Elastic License v2

## Setup

PowerShell Script Block Logging must be enabled to generate the events used by this rule (e.g., 4104).
Setup instructions: [https://ela.st/powershell-logging-setup](https://ela.st/powershell-logging-setup)

## Rule Query

```kuery
event.category:process and host.os.type:windows and
  powershell.file.script_block_text : (
    ("Invoke-WmiMethod" or "Invoke-Command" or "Enter-PSSession") and "ComputerName"
  ) and
  not user.id : "S-1-5-18" and
  not file.directory : (
    "C:\\Program Files\\LogicMonitor\\Agent\\tmp" or
    "C:\\Program Files\\WindowsPowerShell\\Modules\\icinga-powershell-framework\\cache" or
    "C:\\Program Files\\WindowsPowerShell\\Modules\\SmartCardTools\\1.2.2"
  ) and not
  powershell.file.script_block_text : (
    "Export-ModuleMember -Function @('Invoke-Expression''Invoke-Command')" and
    "function Invoke-Command {"
  )
```

**Framework:** MITRE ATT&CK
- Tactic:
  - Name: Lateral Movement
  - Id: TA0008
  - Reference URL: [[https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0008/](https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0008/)](https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0008/)
- Technique:
  - Name: Remote Services
  - Id: T1021
  - Reference URL: [[https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1021/](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1021/)](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1021/)
- Sub Technique:
  - Name: Windows Remote Management
  - Id: T1021.006
  - Reference URL: [[https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1021/006/](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1021/006/)](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1021/006/)

**Framework:** MITRE ATT&CK
- Tactic:
  - Name: Execution
  - Id: TA0002
  - Reference URL: [[https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0002/](https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0002/)](https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0002/)
- Technique:
  - Name: Windows Management Instrumentation
  - Id: T1047
  - Reference URL: [[https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1047/](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1047/)](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1047/)
- Technique:
  - Name: Command and Scripting Interpreter
  - Id: T1059
  - Reference URL: [[https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1059/](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1059/)](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1059/)
- Sub Technique:
  - Name: PowerShell
  - Id: T1059.001
  - Reference URL: [[https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1059/001/](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1059/001/)](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1059/001/)