Proxy Execution via MSBuild Running Inline Task XML

ATT&CK techniques

Execution → Defense Evasion

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
- T1127.001MSBuild
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
- T1127.001MSBuild
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects msbuild.exe executing a standalone .xml project file, the NOOPLDR loading technique used in Cuckoo Spear to run inline C# tasks and evade application control. MSBuild consuming a loose XML file rather than a solution or project is a common trusted-developer-utility abuse pattern.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1127.001 — drag to rearrange

Suspicious MSBuild Spawned by PowerShell (via process_creation)

Suspicious MSBuild Execution of Project File from ProgramData (via process_creation)

Malicious MSBuild Execution of Downloaded csproj Project File (via process_creation)

Suspicious MSBuild Inline Task Compilation of mini.xml

Suspicious MSBuild Execution Spawned by Command Shell for Process Hollowing (via process_creation)

Suspicious MSBuild Execution of Inline Payload (via process_creation)

Suspicious MSBuild Execution as LOLBin from User-Writable Path (via process_creation)

Suspicious Local XML Compilation via MSBuild

Malicious Winlogon Shell Hijack Loading MSBuild

Proxy Execution via MSBuild Running Inline Task XML

Pivot detection · T1127.001 · 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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