Malicious Remote HTA Execution Disguised as Media File via mshta (via process_creation)

ATT&CK techniques

Defense Evasion

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

What it detects

This rule detects mshta.exe executing a remote HTA payload whose URL is disguised with an audio or video file extension. The ClearFake ClickFix variant delivers its loader as an HTA masquerading as an mp3 mp4 or m4a file fetched over HTTP. Combining the mshta living-off-the-land binary with a remote media-named URL is a reliable indicator of drive-by compromise.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1218.005 — drag to rearrange

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

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

Malicious mshta.exe Spawning bitsadmin via ClickFix Phantom Meet

Malicious Remote HTA Execution Disguised as Media File via mshta (via process_creation)

Pivot detection · T1218.005 · 9 related

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