Msbuild.exe

Build and execute a C# project stored in the target XML file.

Use Compile and run code

msbuild.exe {PATH:.xml}

Evidence

Upstream reference

Environment

Local host

Context

user

Native

AWL Bypass

MITRE

T1127.001

Detection

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

Sigma: github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/6312dd1d44d309608552105c334948f793e89f48/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_msbuild_susp_parent_process.yml

Sigma: github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/c04bef2fbbe8beff6c7620d5d7ea6872dbe7acba/rules/windows/network_connection/net_connection_win_silenttrinity_stager_msbuild_activity.yml

Splunk: github.com/splunk/security_content/blob/18f63553a9dc1a34122fa123deae2b2f9b9ea391/detections/endpoint/suspicious_msbuild_spawn.yml

Splunk: github.com/splunk/security_content/blob/18f63553a9dc1a34122fa123deae2b2f9b9ea391/detections/endpoint/suspicious_msbuild_rename.yml

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

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

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

Elastic: github.com/elastic/detection-rules/blob/ef7548f04c4341e0d1a172810330d59453f46a21/rules/windows/defense_evasion_execution_msbuild_started_by_script.toml

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

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

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

IOC: Msbuild.exe should not normally be executed on workstations

Refs

github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/master/atomics/T1127/T1127.md

github.com/Cn33liz/MSBuildShell

pentestlab.blog/2017/05/29/applocker-bypass-msbuild/

oddvar.moe/2017/12/13/applocker-case-study-how-insecure-is-it-really-part-1/

gist.github.com/bohops/4ffc43a281e87d108875f07614324191

github.com/LOLBAS-Project/LOLBAS/issues/165

docs.microsoft.com/en-us/visualstudio/msbuild/msbuild-response-files

www.daveaglick.com/posts/msbuild-loggers-and-logging-events

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

Build and execute a C# project stored in the target csproj file.

Use Compile and run code

msbuild.exe {PATH:.csproj}

Evidence

Upstream reference

Environment

Local host

Context

user

Native

Execute

MITRE

T1127.001

Detection

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

Sigma: github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/6312dd1d44d309608552105c334948f793e89f48/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_msbuild_susp_parent_process.yml

Sigma: github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/c04bef2fbbe8beff6c7620d5d7ea6872dbe7acba/rules/windows/network_connection/net_connection_win_silenttrinity_stager_msbuild_activity.yml

Splunk: github.com/splunk/security_content/blob/18f63553a9dc1a34122fa123deae2b2f9b9ea391/detections/endpoint/suspicious_msbuild_spawn.yml

Splunk: github.com/splunk/security_content/blob/18f63553a9dc1a34122fa123deae2b2f9b9ea391/detections/endpoint/suspicious_msbuild_rename.yml

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

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

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

Elastic: github.com/elastic/detection-rules/blob/ef7548f04c4341e0d1a172810330d59453f46a21/rules/windows/defense_evasion_execution_msbuild_started_by_script.toml

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

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

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

IOC: Msbuild.exe should not normally be executed on workstations

Refs

github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/master/atomics/T1127/T1127.md

github.com/Cn33liz/MSBuildShell

pentestlab.blog/2017/05/29/applocker-bypass-msbuild/

oddvar.moe/2017/12/13/applocker-case-study-how-insecure-is-it-really-part-1/

gist.github.com/bohops/4ffc43a281e87d108875f07614324191

github.com/LOLBAS-Project/LOLBAS/issues/165

docs.microsoft.com/en-us/visualstudio/msbuild/msbuild-response-files

www.daveaglick.com/posts/msbuild-loggers-and-logging-events

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

Executes generated Logger DLL file with TargetLogger export.

Use Execute DLL

msbuild.exe /logger:TargetLogger,{PATH_ABSOLUTE:.dll};MyParameters,Foo

Evidence

Upstream reference

Environment

Local host

Context

user

Native

Execute

MITRE

T1127.001

Detection

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

Sigma: github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/6312dd1d44d309608552105c334948f793e89f48/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_msbuild_susp_parent_process.yml

Sigma: github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/c04bef2fbbe8beff6c7620d5d7ea6872dbe7acba/rules/windows/network_connection/net_connection_win_silenttrinity_stager_msbuild_activity.yml

Splunk: github.com/splunk/security_content/blob/18f63553a9dc1a34122fa123deae2b2f9b9ea391/detections/endpoint/suspicious_msbuild_spawn.yml

Splunk: github.com/splunk/security_content/blob/18f63553a9dc1a34122fa123deae2b2f9b9ea391/detections/endpoint/suspicious_msbuild_rename.yml

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

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

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

Elastic: github.com/elastic/detection-rules/blob/ef7548f04c4341e0d1a172810330d59453f46a21/rules/windows/defense_evasion_execution_msbuild_started_by_script.toml

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

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

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

IOC: Msbuild.exe should not normally be executed on workstations

Refs

github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/master/atomics/T1127/T1127.md

github.com/Cn33liz/MSBuildShell

pentestlab.blog/2017/05/29/applocker-bypass-msbuild/

oddvar.moe/2017/12/13/applocker-case-study-how-insecure-is-it-really-part-1/

gist.github.com/bohops/4ffc43a281e87d108875f07614324191

github.com/LOLBAS-Project/LOLBAS/issues/165

docs.microsoft.com/en-us/visualstudio/msbuild/msbuild-response-files

www.daveaglick.com/posts/msbuild-loggers-and-logging-events

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

Execute JScript/VBScript code through XML/XSL Transformation. Requires Visual Studio MSBuild v14.0+.

Use Execute project file that contains XslTransformation tag parameters

msbuild.exe {PATH:.proj}

Evidence

Upstream reference

Environment

Local host

Context

user

Native

Execute

MITRE

T1127.001

Detection

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

Sigma: github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/6312dd1d44d309608552105c334948f793e89f48/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_msbuild_susp_parent_process.yml

Sigma: github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/c04bef2fbbe8beff6c7620d5d7ea6872dbe7acba/rules/windows/network_connection/net_connection_win_silenttrinity_stager_msbuild_activity.yml

Splunk: github.com/splunk/security_content/blob/18f63553a9dc1a34122fa123deae2b2f9b9ea391/detections/endpoint/suspicious_msbuild_spawn.yml

Splunk: github.com/splunk/security_content/blob/18f63553a9dc1a34122fa123deae2b2f9b9ea391/detections/endpoint/suspicious_msbuild_rename.yml

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

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

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

Elastic: github.com/elastic/detection-rules/blob/ef7548f04c4341e0d1a172810330d59453f46a21/rules/windows/defense_evasion_execution_msbuild_started_by_script.toml

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

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

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

IOC: Msbuild.exe should not normally be executed on workstations

Refs

github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/master/atomics/T1127/T1127.md

github.com/Cn33liz/MSBuildShell

pentestlab.blog/2017/05/29/applocker-bypass-msbuild/

oddvar.moe/2017/12/13/applocker-case-study-how-insecure-is-it-really-part-1/

gist.github.com/bohops/4ffc43a281e87d108875f07614324191

github.com/LOLBAS-Project/LOLBAS/issues/165

docs.microsoft.com/en-us/visualstudio/msbuild/msbuild-response-files

www.daveaglick.com/posts/msbuild-loggers-and-logging-events

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

By putting any valid msbuild.exe command-line options in an RSP file and calling it as above will interpret the options as if they were passed on the command line.

Use Bypass command-line based detections

msbuild.exe @{PATH:.rsp}

Evidence

Upstream reference

Environment

Local host

Context

user

Native

Execute

MITRE

T1036

Detection

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

Sigma: github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/6312dd1d44d309608552105c334948f793e89f48/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_msbuild_susp_parent_process.yml

Sigma: github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/c04bef2fbbe8beff6c7620d5d7ea6872dbe7acba/rules/windows/network_connection/net_connection_win_silenttrinity_stager_msbuild_activity.yml

Splunk: github.com/splunk/security_content/blob/18f63553a9dc1a34122fa123deae2b2f9b9ea391/detections/endpoint/suspicious_msbuild_spawn.yml

Splunk: github.com/splunk/security_content/blob/18f63553a9dc1a34122fa123deae2b2f9b9ea391/detections/endpoint/suspicious_msbuild_rename.yml

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

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

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

Elastic: github.com/elastic/detection-rules/blob/ef7548f04c4341e0d1a172810330d59453f46a21/rules/windows/defense_evasion_execution_msbuild_started_by_script.toml

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

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

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

IOC: Msbuild.exe should not normally be executed on workstations

Refs

github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/master/atomics/T1127/T1127.md

github.com/Cn33liz/MSBuildShell

pentestlab.blog/2017/05/29/applocker-bypass-msbuild/

oddvar.moe/2017/12/13/applocker-case-study-how-insecure-is-it-really-part-1/

gist.github.com/bohops/4ffc43a281e87d108875f07614324191

github.com/LOLBAS-Project/LOLBAS/issues/165

docs.microsoft.com/en-us/visualstudio/msbuild/msbuild-response-files

www.daveaglick.com/posts/msbuild-loggers-and-logging-events

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