Suspicious mshta Execution of Inline JavaScript

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 running an inline javascript command line. Gamaredon delivers HTA and LNK files that invoke mshta with javascript to launch the next stage of GammaPhish. Inline scripting through mshta is a well known living off the land execution and evasion technique.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1218.005 — drag to rearrange

Suspicious Command Interpreter Spawned by mshta (via process_creation)

Suspicious mshta Execution Spawned by Scheduled Task Service Host (via process_creation)

Suspicious Scheduled Task Creation Launching mshta via schtasks (via process_creation)

Suspicious HTA File Dropped into Startup Folder

Suspicious PowerShell Spawned by mshta.exe in FakeSG Chain (via process_creation)

Suspicious Hidden PowerShell Spawned by MSHTA for Boot Persistence (via process_creation)

Malicious HTA Payload Download and Execution via PowerShell One-Liner (via process_creation)

Suspicious RunMRU Entry Launching LOLBIN via ClickFix Run Dialog

Suspicious mshta Executing Remote Content via ClickFix Lure

Suspicious mshta Execution of Inline JavaScript

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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