Suspicious mshta.exe Executing Embedded JavaScript from LNK Chain (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 inline JavaScript, the second-stage execution used by APT-C-60 in its 2026 campaign where a RAR-delivered LNK invokes mshta to run embedded script and fetch remote payloads. Abusing the trusted HTML application host to run script proxies execution and evades application controls.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1218.005 — drag to rearrange

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Suspicious mshta Execution of Remote or Inline Payload (via process_creation)

Suspicious mshta Execution Proxied Through pcalua LOLBIN

Suspicious mshta Downloading Remote Payload via ClickFix

Malicious mshta Spawning PowerShell Loader via ClickFix

Suspicious Remote HTA Execution via mshta over HTTP

Suspicious Remote HTA Execution via mshta from File Sharing Site

Suspicious Copy of System mshta.exe into ProgramData by SideWinder APT

Suspicious mshta.exe Executing Embedded JavaScript from LNK Chain (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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