andrewek 28 Posted November 20, 2017 Report Share Posted November 20, 2017 Hello all! The EmsiSoft blog https://blog.emsisoft.com/2017/11/17/fileless-malware-attacks/ informs about fileless Malvare. And that more often in the Windows registry they hit Windows PowerShell and WMI. It is recommended that you turn off PowerShell. But I do not understand how to do this? From the above instructions, it is unclear ... In my computer(Windows 7x64), I do not find the ability to disable this application Just launch it as a command line! Please tell us more about the disable PowerShell! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JeremyNicoll 80 Posted November 20, 2017 Report Share Posted November 20, 2017 Whenn you go to the Control Panel screen which lists installed programs - called "Add/remove programs" on XP and "Programs & Features" on later versions of Windows, you should see a list of applications you installed and probably that's all you're used to looking at there. But as well as that, there should be an entry at the top left that lets you change which Windows features are enabled. PowerShell isn't in the list of ordinary installed applications, but as it's a Windows feature, it can be turned off using the option at the top left. Does that help? If not maybe you could post a screenshot of what your "Programs & Features" panel looks like? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
andrewek 28 Posted November 20, 2017 Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2017 Hi! You mean this is it? components of Windows? But there is no PowerShell 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JeremyNicoll 80 Posted November 20, 2017 Report Share Posted November 20, 2017 Yes, that's the right place. If PowerShell isn't listed (I can't read the cyrillic parts of your screenshot), maybe it's not actually been installed? According to https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/heyscriptingguy/2011/01/07/how-do-i-install-powershell-on-windows-7-and-other-questions/ PowerShell, if you have it, will have shortcuts at Start / All Programs / Accessories / Windows PowerShell. Do you have those? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GT500 873 Posted November 20, 2017 Report Share Posted November 20, 2017 PowerShell comes installed by default on Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10 (in fact it has superseded the Command Prompt on Windows 10). In theory it could have already been uninstalled, or the name in the list is in Russian and possibly doesn't translate as expected. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
slopes 3 Posted November 20, 2017 Report Share Posted November 20, 2017 How do you uninstall /disable powershell on windows 7? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
slopes 3 Posted November 20, 2017 Report Share Posted November 20, 2017 6 hours ago, JeremyNicoll said: Whenn you go to the Control Panel screen which lists installed programs - called "Add/remove programs" on XP and "Programs & Features" on later versions of Windows, you should see a list of applications you installed and probably that's all you're used to looking at there. But as well as that, there should be an entry at the top left that lets you change which Windows features are enabled. PowerShell isn't in the list of ordinary installed applications, but as it's a Windows feature, it can be turned off using the option at the top left. Does that help? If not maybe you could post a screenshot of what your "Programs & Features" panel looks like? Windows 7 doesn't list it in programs and features or in turn features off or on.I do have it in windows accessories . Quote Link to post Share on other sites
andrewek 28 Posted November 21, 2017 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2017 5 hours ago, JeremyNicoll said: Yes, that's the right place. If PowerShell isn't listed (I can't read the cyrillic parts of your screenshot), maybe it's not actually been installed? According to https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/heyscriptingguy/2011/01/07/how-do-i-install-powershell-on-windows-7-and-other-questions/ PowerShell, if you have it, will have shortcuts at Start / All Programs / Accessories / Windows PowerShell. Do you have those? Yes, in the list of programs, as you indicated, have the PowerShell. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JeremyNicoll 80 Posted November 21, 2017 Report Share Posted November 21, 2017 Hmm. A bit more googling looking for explicit instructions on how to remove Powershell from win 7 suggests it's not really possible. Some posts suggest things like removing registry keys (which I suppose might make Windows think it's not there, but it still will be). I've also seen suggestions that uninstalling "windows management framework 5.0" might remove PowerShell as well. But I have no idea if that is true nor whether it's a good idea. I see that @Umbra has said (in comments on the oroginal blog entry) that there's W7 advice on the net. Perhaps he could say which advice is the right advice... and if there's disadvantages to following it? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
andrewek 28 Posted November 21, 2017 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2017 Hi! But I absolutely do not use PowerShell, I never run. Maybe there is no danger then? Obviously, there is no way to remove this preinstalled program from the computer! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
slopes 3 Posted November 21, 2017 Report Share Posted November 21, 2017 1 hour ago, andrey said: Hi! But I absolutely do not use PowerShell, I never run. Maybe there is no danger then? Obviously, there is no way to remove this preinstalled program from the computer! From what I understand it is still vulnerable if you don't run it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
andrewek 28 Posted November 21, 2017 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2017 Hi! It is about this (vulnerability) and is reported in the blog Emsisoft! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GT500 873 Posted November 21, 2017 Report Share Posted November 21, 2017 There doesn't appear to be a way to uninstall PowerShell in Windows 7. You might be able to create an Application Rule in Emsisoft Anti-Malware to block PowerShell from running though. On my Windows 7 computer it looks like PowerShell can run out of the following locations: C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell_ise.exe C:\Windows\SysWOW64\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe C:\Windows\SysWOW64\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell_ise.exe Quote Link to post Share on other sites
slopes 3 Posted November 21, 2017 Report Share Posted November 21, 2017 1 hour ago, GT500 said: There doesn't appear to be a way to uninstall PowerShell in Windows 7. You might be able to create an Application Rule in Emsisoft Anti-Malware to block PowerShell from running though. On my Windows 7 computer it looks like PowerShell can run out of the following locations: C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell_ise.exe C:\Windows\SysWOW64\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe C:\Windows\SysWOW64\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell_ise.exe Thanks GT500, I blocked them all. I have read that windows 7 needs powershell for other functions? I'll see what happens Thanks again! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Peter2150 45 Posted November 21, 2017 Report Share Posted November 21, 2017 Powershell is a tough bird. I've got the same four powershell exe's blocked, but that won't stop it. Won't break anything for most users, but won't block it. There is also a DLL system.managament.autmation.dll that can fire off Powershell. Not sure extactly w here in windows it, I've got it blocked with wildcards. I've done a lot homework on powershell malware and there are two bottom lines. 1. If some can get the right script on your computer and it runs, it's game over. They own you. 2. The good news, is all of these infections were delivered by email, so if you good email control your are safe 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Umbra 30 Posted November 21, 2017 Report Share Posted November 21, 2017 system.management.automation.dll is the one to block if you worry about powershell-based exploits. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
slopes 3 Posted November 22, 2017 Report Share Posted November 22, 2017 1 hour ago, Umbra said: system.management.automation.dll is the one to block if you worry about powershell-based exploits. How is this entered into a rule? I found it in C:\Windows\winsxs\msil_system.management.automation......... Edit....Entered entire address emsisoft says file doesn't exist Thanks Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Umbra 30 Posted November 22, 2017 Report Share Posted November 22, 2017 You have to select "all files" in the search window. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
slopes 3 Posted November 22, 2017 Report Share Posted November 22, 2017 55 minutes ago, Umbra said: You have to select "all files" in the search window. Yes! that worked thank you Umbra 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Insert Real Name 1 Posted November 27, 2017 Report Share Posted November 27, 2017 Does one need to disable Powershell completely? And is this even desirable or possible on Windows versions greater than 7? On my Windows 7 machine, I started a Powershell console w/administrative privileges and ran Set-Execution-Policy -Scope LocalMachine Restricted which disables running PowerShell scripts execution in any context. Individual Powershell commands are still allowed, of course, so Powershell-powered malware hasn't been entirely neutered, but this is a significant protection I think. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Umbra 30 Posted November 27, 2017 Report Share Posted November 27, 2017 @Insert Real Name Yes, this is a start, but if you don't need Powershell at all, better disable it "completely". Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Amadei 0 Posted December 25, 2017 Report Share Posted December 25, 2017 How much time did it take? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Peter2150 45 Posted December 25, 2017 Report Share Posted December 25, 2017 On 11/27/2017 at 6:57 PM, Umbra said: @Insert Real Name Yes, this is a start, but if you don't need Powershell at all, better disable it "completely". Hi Umbra On win 7 x64 Pro exactly how do you completely disable Powershell Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Umbra 30 Posted December 26, 2017 Report Share Posted December 26, 2017 @Peter2150 1- by restricting users to use it via Group policy https://community.spiceworks.com/topic/1183987-disabling-powershell-with-group-policy 2- via SRP, blocking: C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell_ise.exe C:\Windows\SysWOW64\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe C:\Windows\SysWOW64\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell_ise.exe system.management.automation.dll 3- by uninstalling it windows/forum/windows_7-performance/how-to-uninstall-powershell-windows-7/c7077177-294d-4aed-8307-a1a554a56ae5?auth=1 i usually just do step 2, good enough for me. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Peter2150 45 Posted December 26, 2017 Report Share Posted December 26, 2017 Thanks Umbra. I've also done step 2, and I suspect your right that is good enough. 1 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GT500 873 Posted December 27, 2017 Report Share Posted December 27, 2017 On 12/25/2017 at 6:53 AM, Amadei said: How much time did it take? Most of the methods for disabling PowerShell mentioned here shouldn't take more than 5-10 minutes. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Umbra 30 Posted December 27, 2017 Report Share Posted December 27, 2017 Yes because Powershell isn't dangerous by itself, and is needed sometimes by the system reason why you can't remove it (only the old version can); not saying on Win10, it will replace cmd very soon. So since the old v2 is vulnerable and often used as an attack vector, disabling its execution is enough. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
biodegradable 1 Posted December 27, 2017 Report Share Posted December 27, 2017 thanks and Umbra and Peter,i delete it also although i didnt know what is anyway xd Quote Link to post Share on other sites
slopes 3 Posted December 27, 2017 Report Share Posted December 27, 2017 On 12/25/2017 at 7:07 PM, Umbra said: @Peter2150 1- by restricting users to use it via Group policy https://community.spiceworks.com/topic/1183987-disabling-powershell-with-group-policy 2- via SRP, blocking: C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell_ise.exe C:\Windows\SysWOW64\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe C:\Windows\SysWOW64\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell_ise.exe system.management.automation.dll 3- by uninstalling it windows/forum/windows_7-performance/how-to-uninstall-powershell-windows-7/c7077177-294d-4aed-8307-a1a554a56ae5?auth=1 i usually just do step 2, good enough for me. Just curious why is step 2 considered a srp? Because a password is required to change it? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JeremyNicoll 80 Posted December 27, 2017 Report Share Posted December 27, 2017 > Just curious why is step 2 considered a srp? Because a password is required to change it? I think SRP is 'Software Restriction Policy' - as described eg at: https://technet.microsoft.com/en-gb/library/bb457006.aspx - is that what you think it means? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
slopes 3 Posted December 27, 2017 Report Share Posted December 27, 2017 38 minutes ago, JeremyNicoll said: > Just curious why is step 2 considered a srp? Because a password is required to change it? I think SRP is 'Software Restriction Policy' - as described eg at: https://technet.microsoft.com/en-gb/library/bb457006.aspx - is that what you think it means? I thought it meant Secure password based authentication, must of been a typo in my google search, your def makes much more sense. Thanks again for answering my stupid questions Jeremy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Umbra 30 Posted December 28, 2017 Report Share Posted December 28, 2017 5 hours ago, JeremyNicoll said: > Just curious why is step 2 considered a srp? Because a password is required to change it? I think SRP is 'Software Restriction Policy' - as described eg at: https://technet.microsoft.com/en-gb/library/bb457006.aspx - is that what you think it means? SRP is indeed Software Restriction Policy, like Windows' Applocker (available in pro version) and some other 3rd party softs. Step 2 can be done with any default-deny type of softs (those allowing you to select a executable and block it from running) , EAM can block them too. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
andrewek 28 Posted October 2, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 2, 2019 Hello All! Last year, the issue of Filelles malware was discussed, and disabling Windows PowerShell was recommended as one of the protection methods. https://blog.emsisoft.com/en/29070/fileless-malware-attacks/ Obviously, PowerShell itself is not dangerous. Dangerous scripts that she can use. And as it is today, when Windows 10 is actively coming and using PowerShell, it is obvious that you will ever have to (I read that it can even replace cmd>) - what should you do today, do you need to disable and / or block PowerShell (for example, through settings Emsisoft Behavioral Blocker)? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GT500 873 Posted October 16, 2019 Report Share Posted October 16, 2019 PowerShell has a built-in permissions system these days that automatically prevents execution of downloaded scripts. This of course does not prevent an application (or a batch file) from executing PowerShell commands from the command line, so it does not negate all of the dangers of PowerShell, however I don't think this is quite as common as it was when we made that recommendation and it certainly is better understood and detected now than it was back then. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
andrewek 28 Posted October 17, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2019 Hello! Thank you! Do you think it is possible to remove from the settings of the EAM Behavior Blocker what has been proposed and how? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JeremyNicoll 80 Posted October 17, 2019 Report Share Posted October 17, 2019 I think most users would want to know if any system process has been stopped (especially if they did not know how/why), so if it is possible to suppress the information it'll need to be something that individual users do, not something central that affects us all. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
andrewek 28 Posted October 17, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2019 Hi! I do not quite understand you: Are you against publishing such screenshots? But 2 years ago all these actions are already described in detail! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JeremyNicoll 80 Posted October 17, 2019 Report Share Posted October 17, 2019 No, the screenshots are fine. You asked " ... to remove from the settings of the EAM Behavior Blocker what has been proposed and how" ... I think that if that is possible, it should be something that Emsi tell you how to do, but they should not change BB so that other people don't see the BB messages. Other people, and certainly me, will want to know if powershell has been disabled IF IT WASN'T DONE BY THEM. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
andrewek 28 Posted October 17, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2019 But it’s clear from the whole topic that these settings changes are made by me, the user. These are not standard EAM settings! My English probably doesn’t allow me to fully understand the meaning) Or did I understand correctly? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Amigo-A 136 Posted October 17, 2019 Report Share Posted October 17, 2019 @andrey Есть немало шифровальщиков, которые используют Windows PowerShell для атаки и успешно осуществляют её в массовом порядке. В том числе до сих пор живо целое их поколение, которое или так и называется PowerShell Locker Ransomware или приобретает новые имена (типа этого) и ЭТО до сих периодические распространяется, когда у криптонариков набрутенные баксы перестают им петь романсы. Если бы этой функции не было в составе Windows, то им пришлось бы внедрять что-то подобное, чтобы осуществить эту атаку, вот тут поведенческий анализ и дал бы им жару. Если вы сами никогда не пользуетесь Windows PowerShell то отключите эту горе-фичу от греха подальше. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JeremyNicoll 80 Posted October 17, 2019 Report Share Posted October 17, 2019 I understand that you (somehow) disabled Powershell, and you know you did that. Earlier you asked for a way for BB not to tell you (that Powershell is disabled). If Emsisoft change EAM so that no user sees these messages then that is dangerous for people whose Powershell has been tampered with. I don't care if there's a way for just you not to see the messages, but I don't think other EAM users should lose the information. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
andrewek 28 Posted October 17, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2019 Ok, of course, now I understand) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GT500 873 Posted October 18, 2019 Report Share Posted October 18, 2019 20 hours ago, andrey said: Do you think it is possible to remove from the settings of the EAM Behavior Blocker what has been proposed and how? Edit the rules and change them to "Monitored". Although, feel free to follow Amigo-A's advise, and keep PowerShell blocked if you'd like. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
andrewek 28 Posted October 18, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 18, 2019 Hello! Since I do not use PowerShell, I will disable it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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