Windows: Execution of .xbap via PresentationHost.exe from Uncommon Paths

ATT&CK techniques

Defense Evasion

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

What it detects

This rule flags process creation events where PresentationHost.exe is used to launch a .xbap file from a path that is not in common Windows or Program Files locations. Attackers can use this legitimate browser application host to run malicious .xbap content while blending in with normal signed binaries. The detection relies on process creation telemetry, matching PresentationHost.exe by image/original filename and looking for .xbap in the command line, with path exclusions to reduce expected benign activity.

Reporting behind it

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Windows: Execution of .xbap via PresentationHost.exe from Uncommon Paths

Pivot detection · T1218 · 9 related

Detection content is published as a reviewed draft. Tune thresholds and exclusions against your own telemetry before enabling this rule for alerting.

windows-execution-of-xbap-via-presentationhost-exe-from-uncommon-paths-d22e2925

title: "Windows: Execution of .xbap via PresentationHost.exe from Uncommon Paths"
id: 0e549780-fc5a-4379-9bfd-f442abff7311
status: test
description: This rule flags process creation events where PresentationHost.exe is used to launch a .xbap file from a path that is not in common Windows or Program Files locations. Attackers can use this legitimate browser application host to run malicious .xbap content while blending in with normal signed binaries. The detection relies on process creation telemetry, matching PresentationHost.exe by image/original filename and looking for .xbap in the command line, with path exclusions to reduce expected benign activity.
references:
  - https://lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/Binaries/Presentationhost/
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_presentationhost_uncommon_location_exec.yml
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), Huntrule Team
date: 2022-07-01
modified: 2023-11-09
tags:
  - attack.execution
  - attack.stealth
  - attack.t1218
logsource:
  category: process_creation
  product: windows
detection:
  selection_img:
    - Image|endswith: \presentationhost.exe
    - OriginalFileName: PresentationHost.exe
  selection_cli:
    CommandLine|contains: .xbap
  filter_main_generic:
    CommandLine|contains:
      - " C:\\Windows\\"
      - " C:\\Program Files"
  condition: all of selection* and not 1 of filter_main_*
falsepositives:
  - Legitimate ".xbap" being executed via "PresentationHost"
level: medium
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: d22e2925-cfd8-463f-96f6-89cec9d9bc5f
    type: derived

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