Windows Powershell Import Applocker Policy

name: Windows Powershell Import Applocker Policy
id: 102af98d-0ca3-4aa4-98d6-7ab2b98b955a
version: 14
creation_date: '2022-06-30'
modification_date: '2026-06-29'
author: Teoderick Contreras, Splunk
status: production
type: Anomaly
description: |-
    The following analytic detects the import of Windows PowerShell Applocker cmdlets, specifically identifying the use of "Import-Module Applocker" and "Set-AppLockerPolicy" with an XML policy.
    It leverages PowerShell Script Block Logging (EventCode 4104) to capture and analyze script block text.
    This activity is significant as it may indicate an attempt to enforce restrictive Applocker policies, potentially used by malware like Azorult to disable antivirus products.
    If confirmed malicious, this could allow an attacker to bypass security controls, leading to further system compromise and persistence.
data_source:
    - Powershell Script Block Logging 4104
search: |-
    `powershell`
    EventCode=4104
    ScriptBlockText="*Import-Module Applocker*"
    ScriptBlockText="*Set-AppLockerPolicy*"
    ScriptBlockText="* -XMLPolicy *"
    | 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_import_applocker_policy_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: administrators may execute this command that may cause some false positive.
references:
    - https://app.any.run/tasks/a6f2ffe2-e6e2-4396-ae2e-04ea0143f2d8/
intermediate_findings:
    entities:
        - field: dest
          type: system
          score: 20
          message: A suspicious powershell script with the ScriptBlockId [$ScriptBlockId$] containing Import-Module Applocker and Set-AppLockerPolicy commands to import Applocker policy was executed on host $dest$
        - field: user_id
          type: user
          score: 20
          message: A suspicious powershell script with the ScriptBlockId [$ScriptBlockId$] containing Import-Module Applocker and Set-AppLockerPolicy commands to import Applocker policy was executed on host $dest$ by user $user_id$
analytic_story:
    - Azorult
asset_type: Endpoint
mitre_attack_id:
    - T1059.001
    - T1685
product:
    - Splunk Enterprise
    - Splunk Enterprise Security
    - Splunk Cloud
category: endpoint
security_domain: endpoint