> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/analytics-alerts/alerts-by-name/powershell-runs-suspicious-base64-encoded-commands.md).
# PowerShell runs suspicious base64-encoded commands
### Synopsis
| Field | Value |
| -------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------- |
| Activation Period | 14 Days |
| Training Period | 30 Days |
| Test Period | N/A (single event) |
| Deduplication Period | 1 Day |
| Required Data | XDR Agent |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Execution (TA0002) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell (T1059.001) |
| Severity | Low |
### Description
Running PowerShell with a base64-encoded payload in the command line is often used by attackers to evade detection.
### Attacker's Goals
Run code to perform actions or download other malicious programs.
### Investigative actions
* Check if the initiator process is malicious.
* Check for other operations by the PowerShell instance.
### Variations
PowerShell runs rare base64-encoded command via remote causality actor
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | --------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Execution (TA0002) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell (T1059.001) |
| Severity | Medium |
**Description**
Running PowerShell with a base64-encoded payload in the command line is often used by attackers to evade detection.
**Attacker's Goals**
Run code to perform actions or download other malicious programs.
**Investigative actions**
* Check if the initiator process is malicious.
* Check for other operations by the PowerShell instance.
PowerShell runs rare base64-encoded command by windows built-in scripting engine
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | --------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Execution (TA0002) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell (T1059.001) |
| Severity | High |
**Description**
Running PowerShell with a base64-encoded payload in the command line is often used by attackers to evade detection.
**Attacker's Goals**
Run code to perform actions or download other malicious programs.
**Investigative actions**
* Check if the initiator process is malicious.
* Check for other operations by the PowerShell instance.
---
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