Detection rules › Splunk
Windows PowerShell Get CIMInstance Remote Computer
The following analytic detects the use of the Get-CimInstance cmdlet with the -ComputerName parameter, indicating an attempt to retrieve information from a remote computer. It leverages PowerShell Script Block Logging to identify this specific command execution. This activity is significant as it may indicate unauthorized remote access or information gathering by an attacker. If confirmed malicious, this could allow the attacker to collect sensitive data from remote systems, potentially leading to further exploitation or lateral movement within the network.
Known false positives
- This is meant to be a low risk RBA anomaly analytic or to be used for hunting. Enable this with a low risk score and let it generate risk in the risk index.
MITRE ATT&CK coverage
| Tactic | Techniques |
|---|---|
| Execution |
Telemetry coverage
| Provider | Record / event type |
|---|---|
| PowerShell | Event ID 4104: Creating Scriptblock text (MessageNumber of MessageTotal). |
Rule body
name: Windows PowerShell Get CIMInstance Remote Computer
id: d8c972eb-ed84-431a-8869-ca4bd83257d1
version: 11
creation_date: '2023-03-27'
modification_date: '2026-05-13'
author: Michael Haag, Splunk
status: production
type: Anomaly
description: The following analytic detects the use of the Get-CimInstance cmdlet with the -ComputerName parameter, indicating an attempt to retrieve information from a remote computer. It leverages PowerShell Script Block Logging to identify this specific command execution. This activity is significant as it may indicate unauthorized remote access or information gathering by an attacker. If confirmed malicious, this could allow the attacker to collect sensitive data from remote systems, potentially leading to further exploitation or lateral movement within the network.
data_source:
- Powershell Script Block Logging 4104
search: |-
`powershell` EventCode=4104 ScriptBlockText="*get-ciminstance*" AND ScriptBlockText="*computername*"
| fillnull
| stats count min(_time) as firstTime max(_time) as lastTime
BY dest signature signature_id
user_id vendor_product EventID
Guid Opcode Name
Path ProcessID ScriptBlockId
ScriptBlockText
| `security_content_ctime(firstTime)`
| `security_content_ctime(lastTime)`
| `windows_powershell_get_ciminstance_remote_computer_filter`
how_to_implement: To successfully implement this analytic, you will need to enable PowerShell Script Block Logging on some or all endpoints. Additional setup here https://help.splunk.com/en/security-offerings/splunk-user-behavior-analytics/get-data-in/5.4.1/add-other-data-to-splunk-uba/configure-powershell-logging-to-see-powershell-anomalies-in-splunk-uba.
known_false_positives: This is meant to be a low risk RBA anomaly analytic or to be used for hunting. Enable this with a low risk score and let it generate risk in the risk index.
references:
- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/cimcmdlets/get-ciminstance?view=powershell-7.3
intermediate_findings:
entities:
- field: dest
type: system
score: 20
message: A PowerShell Cmdlet Get-CIMInstnace was ran on $dest$, attempting to connect to a remote host.
analytic_story:
- Active Directory Lateral Movement
asset_type: Endpoint
mitre_attack_id:
- T1059.001
product:
- Splunk Enterprise
- Splunk Enterprise Security
- Splunk Cloud
category: endpoint
security_domain: endpoint
Stages and Predicates
Stage 1: search
`powershell` EventCode=4104 ScriptBlockText="*get-ciminstance*" AND ScriptBlockText="*computername*"
Stage 2: fillnull
| fillnull
Stage 3: stats
| stats count min(_time) as firstTime max(_time) as lastTime
BY dest signature signature_id
user_id vendor_product EventID
Guid Opcode Name
Path ProcessID ScriptBlockId
ScriptBlockText
Stage 4: search
| `security_content_ctime(firstTime)`
Stage 5: search
| `security_content_ctime(lastTime)`
Stage 6: search
| `windows_powershell_get_ciminstance_remote_computer_filter`
Indicators
These rows show field, operator, and value matches.
| Field | Kind | Values | Search |
|---|---|---|---|
EventCode | eq |
| field:"EventID" kind:eq value:"4104" |
ScriptBlockText | eq |
| field:"ScriptBlockText" kind:eq |