Malware

PowerWare

PowerWare is a PowerShell-based ransomware family observed targeting Windows users. It is notable for abusing a legitimate administrative framework to execute malicious logic, aligning with broader fileless and low-file-footprint tradecraft that uses PowerShell to download, launch, or run payloads while reducing reliance on traditional executable files. PowerWare has been associated with delivery through malicious Microsoft Word documents, indicating document-based social engineering as an infection vector. In reporting on malicious PowerShell abuse, PowerWare has been cited alongside other malware families that leverage PowerShell for execution and payload delivery. Its use of PowerShell places it within a wider trend of attackers exploiting built-in Windows tooling for defense evasion and post-compromise activity. High-confidence reporting supports its classification as ransomware targeting Windows environments; additional operational details such as specific encryption workflow, persistence mechanisms, or actor attribution are not currently available from the supplied information.

For your environment

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MITRE ATT&CK

Techniques & procedures

3 distinct techniques documented for this family, organized by ATT&CK tactic.

Initial Access

1 technique

T1566.001Spearphishing AttachmentEvidence1

The so-called 'PowerWare' targeted users via a malicious Microsoft Word document.

Execution

1 technique

T1059.001PowerShellEvidence2

Many fileless malware embed malicious PowerShell scripts whose commands are often the ones responsible for downloading and launching or executing the payload.

Impact

1 technique

T1489Service StopEvidence1

Actual malicious behavior associated with PowerShell attacks can range from ... system disruption (26%)

ACTIVITY FEED

Recent activity

4 sources tracked across advisories, community write-ups, and news. New activity surfaces here as Mallory finds it.

4 SOURCESView more in app

trendmicro comNews

Jun 1, 2017

Security 101: The Rise of Fileless Threats that Abuse PowerShell | Trend Micro (US)

A ransomware family mentioned as using PowerShell abuse techniques.

paloalto researchcenter historicNews

Jul 26, 2016

Attack Delivers ‘9002’ Trojan Through Google Drive

Next: PowerWare Ransomware Spoofing Locky Malware Family

infosecurity magazineNews

Apr 13, 2016

PowerShell Exploits Spotted in Over a Third of Attacks - Infosecurity Magazine

A ransomware family written in PowerShell and delivered via a malicious Microsoft Word document.

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IOC matching

Match every observed IP, domain, and hash against your live telemetry.

Threat actor attribution

Named campaigns wielding this family, with evidence pinned to each claim.

Exploited vulnerabilities

CVEs this family uses for access and lateral movement.

Detection signatures

YARA, Sigma, Snort, and vendor rules, auto-deployed to your SIEM.

MITRE ATT&CK mapping3

Every documented technique, ranked by evidence weight.

Researcher chatter

Reddit, Mastodon, and CTI community discussion around this family.

PowerWare