pinkpixel-dev/analyzing-powershell-empire-artifacts
SKILLS/analyzing-powershell-empire-artifacts/SKILL.md
Detect PowerShell Empire framework artifacts in Windows event logs by identifying Base64 encoded launcher patterns, default user agents, staging URL structures, stager IOCs, and known Empire module signatures in Script Block Logging events.
$ install --global
skillsauthnpx skillsauth add pinkpixel-dev/skills-collection-1 analyzing-powershell-empire-artifactsInstall this skill globally with one command. Works with Claude Code, Cursor, and Windsurf.
Security Scan Results
3 of 9 scanners reported clean
Some scanners were skipped, did not run, or reported a non-clean status. Review each row below.
3
Scanners Passed
9
Scanners in report
Clean
TrivyContainer and dependency vulnerability scanner
95%
Clean
SemgrepStatic code analysis for vulnerabilities
95%
Clean
mcp-scan (Snyk)Model Context Protocol security validation
95%
Skipped
Snyk (dep)Open source security scanning
50%
Skipped
Socket.devSupply chain security analysis
50%
Skipped
VirusTotalMulti-engine malware detection
50%
Skipped
CrowdStrikeAdvanced threat intelligence
50%
Skipped
OSV-ScannerOpen Source Vulnerability database check
50%
Skipped
OWASP Dep-Check
50%
Last scanned: May 29, 2026, 4:32 AM30.1s3 files scanned
SKILL.md
- name:
- analyzing-powershell-empire-artifacts
- description:
- Detect PowerShell Empire framework artifacts in Windows event logs by identifying Base64 encoded launcher patterns, default user agents, staging URL structures, stager IOCs, and known Empire module signatures in Script Block Logging events.
- domain:
- cybersecurity
- subdomain:
- threat-hunting
- tags:
- [PowerShell-Empire, threat-hunting, Script-Block-Logging, base64, stager, C2, MITRE-ATT&CK, T1059.001, forensics]
- version:
- 1.0
- author:
- mahipal
- license:
- Apache-2.0
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 -encfollowed by Base64 blob - Stager indicators —
System.Net.WebClient,DownloadData,DownloadString,FromBase64String - Module signatures — Invoke-Mimikatz, Invoke-Kerberoast, Invoke-TokenManipulation, Invoke-PSInject, Invoke-DCOM
- User agent strings — default Empire user agents in HTTP listener configuration
- Staging URLs —
/login/process.php,/admin/get.phpand similar default URI patterns
Output
JSON report with matched IOCs, decoded Base64 payloads, timeline of suspicious events, MITRE ATT&CK technique mappings, and severity scores.
Related Skills
pinkpixel-dev/building-threat-hunt-hypothesis-framework
development
VerifiedTrustedCommunity
Build a systematic threat hunt hypothesis framework that transforms threat intelligence, attack patterns, and environmental data into testable hunting hypotheses.
7SKILL.mdUpdated Jul 15, 2026
pinkpixel-dev/building-threat-feed-aggregation-with-misp
development
VerifiedTrustedCommunity
Deploy MISP (Malware Information Sharing Platform) to aggregate, correlate, and distribute threat intelligence feeds from multiple sources for centralized IOC management and automated SIEM integration.
7SKILL.mdUpdated Jul 15, 2026
pinkpixel-dev/building-threat-actor-profile-from-osint
development
VerifiedTrustedCommunity
Build comprehensive threat actor profiles using open-source intelligence (OSINT) techniques to document adversary motivations, capabilities, infrastructure, and TTPs for proactive defense.
7SKILL.mdUpdated Jul 15, 2026
pinkpixel-dev/building-soc-playbook-for-ransomware
development
VerifiedTrustedCommunity
Builds a structured SOC incident response playbook for ransomware attacks covering detection, containment, eradication, and recovery phases with specific SIEM queries, isolation procedures, and decision trees. Use when SOC teams need formalized response procedures for ransomware incidents aligned to NIST SP 800-61 and MITRE ATT&CK ransomware techniques.
7SKILL.mdUpdated Jul 15, 2026