
powershell-security
Modern PowerShell security practices for 2025 — SecretManagement, JEA, WDAC, credential protection. PROACTIVELY activate for: (1) Microsoft.PowerShell.SecretManagement and SecretStore for credential storage, (2) Just Enough Administration (JEA) endpoints, (3) Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) for PowerShell, (4) credential protection (PSCredential, SecureString, DPAPI), (5) module signing and Authenticode signatures, (6) ConstrainedLanguage mode, (7) audit logging (transcription, ScriptBlock logging, module logging), (8) AMSI integration, (9) AppLocker rules for PowerShell, (10) supply-chain security (PSGallery trust, package hash verification). Provides: SecretManagement setup, JEA configuration, WDAC policy templates, signing workflow, and audit-logging configuration.
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Install
Works with every agent the skills CLI supports.
npx skills add https://github.com/josiahsiegel/claude-plugin-marketplace --skill powershell-security- 01
Install
Run the command in your project. The CLI asks which agents to install for.
- 02
Describe the task
Ask your agent for something this skill covers. It loads powershell-security automatically when relevant.
- 03
Review the result
The agent follows the SKILL.md steps, scripts and references bundled with the skill.
SKILL.md
The instructions your agent reads when the skill is triggered.
PowerShell Security Best Practices (2025)
Modern security practices for PowerShell scripts and automation, including credential management, SecretManagement module, and hardening techniques.
SecretManagement Module (Recommended 2025 Standard)
Overview
Microsoft.PowerShell.SecretManagement is the official solution for secure credential storage in PowerShell.
Why use SecretManagement:
- Never store plaintext credentials in scripts
- Cross-platform secret storage
- Multiple vault provider support
- Integration with Azure Key Vault, 1Password, KeePass, etc.
Installation
# Install SecretManagement module
Install-Module -Name Microsoft.PowerShell.SecretManagement -Scope CurrentUser
# Install vault provider (choose one or more)
Install-Module -Name Microsoft.PowerShell.SecretStore # Local encrypted vault
Install-Module -Name Az.KeyVault # Azure Key Vault
Install-Module -Name SecretManagement.KeePass # KeePass integration
Basic Usage
# Register a vault
Register-SecretVault -Name LocalVault -ModuleName Microsoft.PowerShell.SecretStore
# Store a secret
$password = Read-Host -AsSecureString -Prompt "Enter password"
Set-Secret -Name "DatabasePassword" -Secret $password -Vault LocalVault
# Retrieve a secret
$dbPassword = Get-Secret -Name "DatabasePassword" -Vault LocalVault -AsPlainText
# Or as SecureString
$dbPasswordSecure = Get-Secret -Name "DatabasePassword" -Vault LocalVault
# List secrets
Get-SecretInfo
# Remove a secret
Remove-Secret -Name "DatabasePassword" -Vault LocalVault
Azure Key Vault Integration
# Install and import Az.KeyVault
Install-Module -Name Az.KeyVault -Scope CurrentUser
Import-Module Az.KeyVault
# Authenticate to Azure
Connect-AzAccount
# Register Azure Key Vault as secret vault
Register-SecretVault -Name AzureKV `
-ModuleName Az.KeyVault `
-VaultParameters @{
AZKVaultName = 'MyKeyVault'
SubscriptionId = 'your-subscription-id'
}
# Store secret in Azure Key Vault
Set-Secret -Name "ApiKey" -Secret "your-api-key" -Vault AzureKV
# Retrieve from Azure Key Vault
$apiKey = Get-Secret -Name "ApiKey" -Vault AzureKV -AsPlainText
Automation Scripts with SecretManagement
<#
.SYNOPSIS
Secure automation script using SecretManagement
.DESCRIPTION
Demonstrates secure credential handling without hardcoded secrets
#>
#Requires -Modules Microsoft.PowerShell.SecretManagement
[CmdletBinding()]
param()
# Retrieve credentials from vault
$dbConnectionString = Get-Secret -Name "SQLConnectionString" -AsPlainText
$apiToken = Get-Secret -Name "APIToken" -AsPlainText
# Use credentials securely
try {
# Database operation
$connection = New-Object System.Data.SqlClient.SqlConnection($dbConnectionString)
$connection.Open()
# API call with token
$headers = @{ Authorization = "Bearer $apiToken" }
$response = Invoke-RestMethod -Uri "https://api.example.com/data" -Headers $headers
# Process results
Write-Host "Operation completed successfully"
}
catch {
Write-Error "Operation failed: $_"
}
finally {
if ($connection) { $connection.Close() }
}
Credential Management Best Practices
Never Hardcode Credentials
# ❌ WRONG - Hardcoded credentials
$password = "MyPassword123"
$username = "admin"
# ❌ WRONG - Plaintext in script
$cred = New-Object System.Management.Automation.PSCredential("admin", "password")
# ✅ CORRECT - SecretManagement
$password = Get-Secret -Name "AdminPassword" -AsPlainText
$securePassword = ConvertTo-SecureString $password -AsPlainText -Force
$cred = New-Object System.Management.Automation.PSCredential("admin", $securePassword)
# ✅ CORRECT - Interactive prompt (for manual runs)
$cred = Get-Credential -Message "Enter admin credentials"
# ✅ CORRECT - Managed Identity (Azure automation)
Connect-AzAccount -Identity
Service Principal Authentication (Azure)
# Store service principal credentials in vault
Set-Secret -Name "AzureAppId" -Secret "app-id-guid"
Set-Secret -Name "AzureAppSecret" -Secret "app-secret-value"
Set-Secret -Name "AzureTenantId" -Secret "tenant-id-guid"
# Retrieve and authenticate
$appId = Get-Secret -Name "AzureAppId" -AsPlainText
$appSecret = Get-Secret -Name "AzureAppSecret" -AsPlainText
$tenantId = Get-Secret -Name "AzureTenantId" -AsPlainText
$secureSecret = ConvertTo-SecureString $appSecret -AsPlainText -Force
$credential = New-Object System.Management.Automation.PSCredential($appId, $secureSecret)
Connect-AzAccount -ServicePrincipal -Credential $credential -Tenant $tenantId
Just Enough Administration (JEA)
What is JEA?
Just Enough Administration restricts PowerShell remoting sessions to specific cmdlets and parameters.
Use Cases
- Delegate admin tasks without full admin rights
- Compliance requirements (SOC 2, HIPAA, PCI-DSS)
- Production environment hardening
- Audit trail for privileged operations
Creating a JEA Endpoint
# 1. Create role capability file
New-PSRoleCapabilityFile -Path "C:\JEA\RestartServices.psrc" `
-VisibleCmdlets @{
Name = 'Restart-Service'
Parameters = @{
Name = 'Name'
ValidateSet = 'Spooler', 'W32Time', 'WinRM'
}
}, 'Get-Service'
# 2. Create session configuration file
New-PSSessionConfigurationFile -Path "C:\JEA\RestartServices.pssc" `
-SessionType RestrictedRemoteServer `
-RoleDefinitions @{
'DOMAIN\ServiceAdmins' = @{ RoleCapabilities = 'RestartServices' }
} `
-LanguageMode NoLanguage
# 3. Register JEA endpoint
Register-PSSessionConfiguration -Name RestartServices `
-Path "C:\JEA\RestartServices.pssc" `
-Force
# 4. Connect to JEA endpoint (as delegated user)
Enter-PSSession -ComputerName Server01 -ConfigurationName RestartServices
# User can ONLY run allowed commands
Restart-Service -Name Spooler # ✅ Allowed
Restart-Service -Name DNS # ❌ Denied (not in ValidateSet)
Get-Process # ❌ Denied (not visible)
JEA Audit Logging
# Enable transcription and logging
New-PSSessionConfigurationFile -Path "C:\JEA\AuditedSession.pssc" `
-SessionType RestrictedRemoteServer `
-TranscriptDirectory "C:\JEA\Transcripts" `
-RunAsVirtualAccount
# All JEA sessions are transcribed to C:\JEA\Transcripts
# Review audit logs
Get-ChildItem "C:\JEA\Transcripts" | Get-Content
Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC)
PowerShell Script Control
WDAC replaces AppLocker for controlling which PowerShell scripts can execute.
# Create WDAC policy for signed scripts only
New-CIPolicy -FilePath "C:\WDAC\PowerShellPolicy.xml" `
-ScanPath "C:\Scripts" `
-Level FilePublisher `
-Fallback Hash `
-UserPEs
# Allow only signed scripts
Set-RuleOption -FilePath "C:\WDAC\PowerShellPolicy.xml" `
-Option 3 # Required WHQL
# Convert to binary policy
ConvertFrom-CIPolicy -XmlFilePath "C:\WDAC\PowerShellPolicy.xml" `
-BinaryFilePath "C:\Windows\System32\CodeIntegrity\SIPolicy.p7b"
# Reboot to apply policy
Restart-Computer
Code Signing
Why Sign Scripts?
- Verify script integrity
- Meet organizational security policies
- Enable WDAC enforcement
- Prevent tampering
Signing a Script
# Get code signing certificate
$cert = Get-ChildItem Cert:\CurrentUser\My -CodeSigningCert
# Sign script
Set-AuthenticodeSignature -FilePath "C:\Scripts\MyScript.ps1" -Certificate $cert
# Verify signature
$signature = Get-AuthenticodeSignature -FilePath "C:\Scripts\MyScript.ps1"
$signature.Status # Should be "Valid"
Execution Policy
# Check current execution policy
Get-ExecutionPolicy
# Set execution policy (requires admin)
Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope LocalMachine
# Bypass for single script (testing only)
PowerShell.exe -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File "script.ps1"
Constrained Language Mode
What is Constrained Language Mode?
Restricts PowerShell language features to prevent malicious code execution.
# Check current language mode
$ExecutionContext.SessionState.LanguageMode
# Output: FullLanguage (admin) or ConstrainedLanguage (standard user)
# Set system-wide constrained language mode
# Via Environment Variable or Group Policy
# Set: __PSLockdownPolicy = 4
# Test constrained mode behavior
# FullLanguage allows:
[System.Net.WebClient]::new() # ✅ Allowed
# ConstrainedLanguage blocks:
[System.Net.WebClient]::new() # ❌ Blocked
Add-Type -TypeDefinition "..." # ❌ Blocked
Script Block Logging
Enable Logging
# Enable via Group Policy or Registry
# HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\PowerShell\ScriptBlockLogging
New-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\PowerShell\ScriptBlockLogging" `
-Name "EnableScriptBlockLogging" -Value 1 -PropertyType DWord
# Log location: Windows Event Log
# Event Viewer > Applications and Services Logs > Microsoft > Windows > PowerShell > Operational
Review Logs
# Query script block logs
Get-WinEvent -LogName "Microsoft-Windows-PowerShell/Operational" |
Where-Object { $_.Id -eq 4104 } | # Script Block Logging event
Select-Object TimeCreated, Message |
Out-GridView
Input Validation
Prevent Injection Attacks
# ❌ WRONG - No validation
function Get-UserData {
param($Username)
Invoke-Sqlcmd -Query "SELECT * FROM Users WHERE Username = '$Username'"
}
# Vulnerable to SQL injection
# ✅ CORRECT - Parameterized queries
function Get-UserData {
param(
[ValidatePattern('^[a-zA-Z0-9_-]+$')]
[string]$Username
)
Invoke-Sqlcmd -Query "SELECT * FROM Users WHERE Username = @Username" `
-Variable @{Username=$Username}
}
# ✅ CORRECT - ValidateSet for known values
function Restart-AppService {
param(
[ValidateSet('Web', 'API', 'Worker')]
[string]$ServiceName
)
Restart-Service -Name "App${ServiceName}Service"
}
Security Checklist
Script Development
- Never hardcode credentials (use SecretManagement)
- Use parameterized queries for SQL operations
- Validate all user input with
[ValidatePattern],[ValidateSet], etc. - Enable
Set-StrictMode -Version Latest - Use
try/catchfor error handling - Avoid
Invoke-Expressionwith user input - Sign production scripts
- Enable Script Block Logging
Automation
- Use Managed Identity or Service Principal (never passwords)
- Store secrets in SecretManagement or Azure Key Vault
- Implement JEA for delegated admin tasks
- Enable audit logging for all privileged operations
- Use least privilege principle
- Rotate credentials regularly
- Monitor failed authentication attempts
Production Environments
- Implement WDAC policies for script control
- Use Constrained Language Mode for non-admin users
- Enable PowerShell logging (Script Block + Transcription)
- Require signed scripts (via execution policy)
- Regular security audits
- Keep PowerShell updated (7.5+)
- Use JEA for remote administration
Resources
FAQ
What does the powershell-security skill do?
Modern PowerShell security practices for 2025 — SecretManagement, JEA, WDAC, credential protection. PROACTIVELY activate for: (1) Microsoft.PowerShell.SecretManagement and SecretStore for credential storage, (2) Just Enough Administration (JEA) endpoints, (3) Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) for PowerShell, (4) credential protection (PSCredential, SecureString, DPAPI), (5) module signing and Authenticode signatures, (6) ConstrainedLanguage mode, (7) audit logging (transcription, ScriptBlock logging, module logging), (8) AMSI integration, (9) AppLocker rules for PowerShell, (10) supply-chain security (PSGallery trust, package hash verification). Provides: SecretManagement setup, JEA configuration, WDAC policy templates, signing workflow, and audit-logging configuration.
How do I install powershell-security?
Run npx skills add https://github.com/josiahsiegel/claude-plugin-marketplace --skill powershell-security in your project. The skills CLI detects the agents you use and copies the skill into the right folder. For Claude Code you can also place the skill folder at ~/.claude/skills/powershell-security/ (personal) or .claude/skills/powershell-security/ (project).
Which AI agents can use powershell-security?
Any agent that supports the open Agent Skills format (a folder with a SKILL.md file), including Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, Windsurf, Cline, OpenCode and more.
Is powershell-security safe to install?
No partner security audit is available yet. Skills can run commands and scripts, so read the SKILL.md and any bundled files before installing.
Who maintains powershell-security?
It is published by josiahsiegel in josiahsiegel/claude-plugin-marketplace. It has 188 recorded installs.
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