Potential Packet Capture Activity Via Start-NetEventSession - ScriptBlock

calendar Sep 3, 2026 · attack.credential-access attack.discovery attack.t1040  ·
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Detects the execution of powershell scripts with calls to the "Start-NetEventSession" cmdlet. Which allows an attacker to start event and packet capture for a network event session. Adversaries may attempt to capture network to gather information over the course of an operation. Data captured via this technique may include user credentials, especially those sent over an insecure, unencrypted protocol.

Sigma rule (View on GitHub)

 1title: Potential Packet Capture Activity Via Start-NetEventSession - ScriptBlock
 2id: da34e323-1e65-42db-83be-a6725ac2caa3
 3status: test
 4description: |
 5    Detects the execution of powershell scripts with calls to the "Start-NetEventSession" cmdlet. Which allows an attacker to start event and packet capture for a network event session.
 6    Adversaries may attempt to capture network to gather information over the course of an operation.
 7    Data captured via this technique may include user credentials, especially those sent over an insecure, unencrypted protocol.    
 8references:
 9    - https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/5f866ca4517e837c4ea576e7309d0891e78080a8/atomics/T1040/T1040.md#atomic-test-16---powershell-network-sniffing
10    - https://github.com/0xsyr0/Awesome-Cybersecurity-Handbooks/blob/7b8935fe4c82cb64d61343de1a8b2e38dd968534/handbooks/10_post_exploitation.md
11    - https://github.com/forgottentq/powershell/blob/9e616363d497143dc955c4fdce68e5c18d28a6cb/captureWindows-Endpoint.ps1#L13
12author: frack113
13date: 2024-05-12
14tags:
15    - attack.credential-access
16    - attack.discovery
17    - attack.t1040
18logsource:
19    product: windows
20    category: ps_script
21    definition: 'Requirements: Script Block Logging must be enabled'
22detection:
23    selection:
24        ScriptBlockText|contains: 'Start-NetEventSession'
25    condition: selection
26falsepositives:
27    - Legitimate network diagnostic scripts.
28level: medium
29regression_tests_path: regression_data/rules/windows/powershell/powershell_script/posh_ps_packet_capture/info.yml

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