Cscript.exe

Use cscript.exe to exectute a Visual Basic script stored in an Alternate Data Stream (ADS).

Use Can be used to evade defensive countermeasures or to hide as a persistence mechanism

cscript //e:vbscript {PATH_ABSOLUTE}:script.vbs

Evidence

Upstream reference

Environment

Local host

Context

user

Native

ADS

MITRE

T1564.004

Detection

Sigma: github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/62d4fd26b05f4d81973e7c8e80d7c1a0c6a29d0e/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_wscript_cscript_script_exec.yml

Sigma: github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/6312dd1d44d309608552105c334948f793e89f48/rules/windows/file/file_event/file_event_win_net_cli_artefact.yml

Elastic: github.com/elastic/detection-rules/blob/61afb1c1c0c3f50637b1bb194f3e6fb09f476e50/rules/windows/defense_evasion_unusual_dir_ads.toml

Elastic: github.com/elastic/detection-rules/blob/cc241c0b5ec590d76cb88ec638d3cc37f68b5d50/rules/windows/command_and_control_remote_file_copy_scripts.toml

Elastic: github.com/elastic/detection-rules/blob/82ec6ac1eeb62a1383792719a1943b551264ed16/rules/windows/defense_evasion_suspicious_managedcode_host_process.toml

Splunk: github.com/splunk/security_content/blob/a1afa0fa605639cbef7d528dec46ce7c8112194a/detections/endpoint/wscript_or_cscript_suspicious_child_process.yml

BlockRule: docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/windows-defender-application-control/microsoft-recommended-block-rules

IOC: Cscript.exe executing files from alternate data streams

IOC: DotNet CLR libraries loaded into cscript.exe

IOC: DotNet CLR Usage Log - cscript.exe.log

Refs

gist.github.com/api0cradle/cdd2d0d0ec9abb686f0e89306e277b8f

oddvar.moe/2018/01/14/putting-data-in-alternate-data-streams-and-how-to-execute-it/

lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/Binaries/Cscript/