ClickFix Remote HTA Execution via Run Dialog (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 spawned by explorer.exe with a remote URL argument, the hallmark of a ClickFix social engineering lure that instructs the victim to paste an mshta command into the Run dialog. Adversaries leverage manual paste execution to bypass automated download defenses while fetching remote HTA content, making early detection critical for catching the ClearFake delivery chain before the stealer installs.

Reporting behind it

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Suspicious Mshta Execution From AppData Directory

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ClickFix Remote HTA Execution via Run Dialog (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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