Suspicious MMC Console Spawning Script Interpreter via GrimResource

ATT&CK techniques

Execution → Defense Evasion

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
- T1059.007JavaScript
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
- T1218System Binary Proxy Execution
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects mmc.exe spawning a script interpreter or scripting host child process which occurs when a crafted MSC file abuses the apds.dll cross-site scripting flaw to execute JavaScript inside mmc.exe as used in the GrimResource technique. Adversaries leverage this MMC initial access and evasion chain to run DotNetToJScript and side-load the PASTALOADER shellcode loader delivering Cobalt Strike.

Reporting behind it

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Suspicious MMC Console Spawning Script Interpreter via GrimResource

Pivot detection · T1059.007 · 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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