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

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Suspicious mshta Downloading Remote Payload via ClickFix

Suspicious PowerShell Spawned by mshta.exe in FakeSG Chain (via process_creation)

Suspicious Hidden PowerShell Spawned by MSHTA for Boot Persistence (via process_creation)

Malicious HTA Payload Download and Execution via PowerShell One-Liner (via process_creation)

Suspicious ClickFix RunMRU Entry Recording LOLBIN Command from Run Dialog

Suspicious mshta Executing Remote Content via ClickFix Lure

Suspicious mshta Launched from Explorer via ClickFix Run Dialog (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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