Individual skill
analyzing-powershell-empire-artifacts
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.
skills/analyzing-powershell-empire-artifacts/SKILL.md
Source commit 54a798831d2266a3ca61ce68a7acb80b81160d57
What was checked
- Matches the observed repository HEAD
- Yes
- Scanner rules are current
- Yes
- Repository scan complete
- No
- Skill scan complete
- No
- Observed behavior
- Network or broad shell
- Last checked
- Nov 9, 2026
These are observations at the recorded commit, not a guarantee of safety. Review the source before running it.
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Repository context
- Repository stars (not skill ratings)
- 35,926
- Repository last updated
- Aug 31, 2026
- License
- Apache-2.0
Observed agent integration: No specific integration evidence. Standard SKILL.md installation does not imply verified compatibility.
- ai-agents Repository topic
- claude-code Repository topic
- cybersecurity Repository topic
- incident-response Repository topic
- mitre-attack Repository topic
- penetration-testing Repository topic
- red-team Repository topic
- security Repository topic
- cloud-security Repository topic
- malware-analysis Repository topic
- powershell-empire Declared skill tag
- threat-hunting Declared skill tag
- script-block-logging Declared skill tag
- base64 Declared skill tag
- stager Declared skill tag
- c2 Declared skill tag
- mitre-att&ck Declared skill tag
- t1059.001 Declared skill tag
- forensics Declared skill tag
- security Derived category
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LICENSEasset · 11,255 bytesSKILL.mdcore · 2,883 bytesSKILL.mdcore · 2,883 bytesreferences/api-reference.mddoc · 3,393 bytesscripts/agent.pyruns · 10,886 bytes
Read excerpt
# 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
