Detect PowerShell Empire post-exploitation framework artifacts in Windows Script Block Logging (Event ID 4104) and Module Logging (Event ID 4103), including the default launcher string, Base64-encoded WebClient/FromBase64String payloads, known module invocations (Invoke-Mimikatz, Invoke-Kerberoast), and staging URL patterns. Use when hunting for or confirming Empire C2 activity in Windows event logs.
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Use analyzing-powershell-empire-artifacts to analyze [exported EVTX files] for PowerShell Empire indicators and return a JSON report with matched IOCs, decoded payloads, timeline, ATT&CK mappings, and severity scores.
Required inputs
[exported EVTX files]
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SKILL.md
name: analyzing-powershell-empire-artifactsdescription: Detect PowerShell Empire post-exploitation framework artifacts in Windows Script Block Logging (Event ID 4104) and Module Logging (Event ID 4103), including the default launcher string, Base64-encoded WebClient/FromBase64String payloads, known module invocations (Invoke-Mimikatz, Invoke-Kerberoast), and staging URL patterns. Use when hunting for or confirming Empire C2 activity in Windows event logs.domain: cybersecuritysubdomain: threat-huntingtags: - PowerShell-Empire- threat-hunting- Script-Block-Logging- base64- stager- C2- MITRE-ATT&CK- T1059.001- forensicsversion: '1.0'author: mahipallicense: Apache-2.0d3fend_techniques: - Executable Denylisting- Execution Isolation- File Metadata Consistency Validation- Content Format Conversion- File Content Analysisnist_ai_rmf: - GOVERN-1.1- MEASURE-2.7- MANAGE-3.1nist_csf: - DE.CM-01- DE.AE-02- DE.AE-07- ID.RA-05mitre_attack: - T1059.001- T1071.001- T1003.001- T1558.003- T1027.010
Analyzing PowerShell Empire Artifacts
Overview
PowerShell Empire is a post-exploitation framework consisting of listeners, stagers, and agents. Its artifacts leave detectable traces in Windows event logs, particularly PowerShell Script Block Logging (Event ID 4104) and Module Logging (Event ID 4103). This skill analyzes event logs for Empire's default launcher string (powershell -noP -sta -w 1 -enc), Base64 encoded payloads containing System.Net.WebClient and FromBase64String, known module invocations (Invoke-Mimikatz, Invoke-Kerberoast, Invoke-TokenManipulation), and staging URL patterns.
When to Use
When investigating security incidents that require analyzing powershell empire artifacts
When building detection rules or threat hunting queries for this domain
When SOC analysts need structured procedures for this analysis type
When validating security monitoring coverage for related attack techniques
Prerequisites
Python 3.9+ with access to Windows Event Log or exported EVTX files
PowerShell Script Block Logging (Event ID 4104) enabled via Group Policy
Module Logging (Event ID 4103) enabled for comprehensive coverage
Key Detection Patterns
Default launcher — powershell -noP -sta -w 1 -enc followed by Base64 blob