ClickFix Paste-Jacking Execution of mshta Retrieving Remote Payload (via process_creation)

ATT&CK techniques

Execution → Defense Evasion

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
- T1204.004Malicious Copy and Paste
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
- T1218.005Mshta
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects mshta.exe launched from the Windows Explorer Run dialog to fetch a remote payload over HTTP, the paste-jacking or ClickFix execution pattern in which a user is tricked into pasting a clipboard-injected command. Adversaries use this to run remote HTA or XLL content and stage stealer malware, making detection of Explorer-spawned mshta with a URL a strong signal of social-engineering-driven execution.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1218.005 — drag to rearrange

Suspicious MSHTA VBScript WScript Shell Execution

Suspicious Remote HTA Payload Execution via MSHTA

Obfuscated Paste-and-Run Execution From the Windows Run Dialog (via process_creation)

Malicious Shell Spawned by Mshta Delivery (via process_creation)

Malicious Remote Script Piped to a Shell on macOS (via process_creation)

Malicious Kimsuky Remote HTA Execution via URL Shortener (via process_creation)

Suspicious mshta Execution of Remote HTA Payload

Suspicious Mshta Executed From Non-System Path (via process_creation)

Malicious Forfiles Proxy Execution Launching PowerShell and MSHTA in PEAKLIGHT Chain (via process_creation)

ClickFix Paste-Jacking Execution of mshta Retrieving Remote Payload (via process_creation)

Pivot detection · T1218.005 · 9 related

Detection content is published as a reviewed draft. Tune thresholds and exclusions against your own telemetry before enabling this rule for alerting.

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