> 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-script-executed-from-a-temporary-directory.md).

# PowerShell script executed from a temporary directory

### 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                                   |
| Detector Tags        | LOLBIN Execution Analytics                  |
| ATT\&CK Tactic       | Collection (TA0009)                         |
| ATT\&CK Technique    | Data Staged: Local Data Staging (T1074.001) |
| Severity             | Informational                               |

### Description

An attacker may try to avoid detection by executing a PowerShell script from a temporary directory.

### Attacker's Goals

Execute malicious PowerShell scripts from a temporary directory to avoid detection.

### Investigative actions

* Review the full PowerShell command line and script content.
* Check the temporary directory for additional suspicious files.
* Determine if this is a legitimate administrative script or a malicious payload.

### Variations

<details>

<summary>PowerShell script executed from a temporary directory by an untrusted parent process</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                       |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Collection (TA0009)                         |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Data Staged: Local Data Staging (T1074.001) |
| Severity          | Low                                         |

**Description**

An attacker may try to avoid detection by executing a PowerShell script from a temporary directory.

**Attacker's Goals**

Execute malicious PowerShell scripts from a temporary directory to avoid detection.

**Investigative actions**

* Review the full PowerShell command line and script content.
* Check the temporary directory for additional suspicious files.
* Determine if this is a legitimate administrative script or a malicious payload.

</details>


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