huntrule

Windows: MSOHTMED.EXE Arbitrary File Download Using HTTP/FTP URLs

Alerts when MSOHTMED.EXE is executed with HTTP/FTP URLs to download an arbitrary file.

FreeReviewedSigma · Medium · v1
Product
windows
Category
process_creation
Author
Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems) (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2022-08-19
Updated
2026-07-30
AnalysisDetection

ATT&CK techniques

Defense Evasion

  1. Recon

  2. Resource Dev

  3. Initial Access

  4. Execution

  5. Persistence

  6. Priv Esc

  7. Defense Evasion

  8. Cred Access

  9. Discovery

  10. Lateral Movement

  11. Collection

  12. C2

  13. Exfiltration

  14. Impact

What it detects

This rule flags process creation where MSOHTMED.EXE (identified by filename and OriginalFileName) is launched with a command line containing HTTP or FTP URLs. Attackers can use this behavior to retrieve arbitrary payloads or stage additional components while blending into normal Windows execution patterns. The detection relies on Windows process creation telemetry including Image path, OriginalFileName, and CommandLine content.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1218 — drag to rearrange
Suspicious Cabinet Extraction of Masqueraded vstm Archive via extrac32
Malicious DLL Execution via Wuauclt Update Handler (via process_creation)
Malicious aspnet_compiler.exe Injection Host Spawned by PowerShell via process_creation
Malicious regsvcs LOLBin Loading Ransomware DLL from UNC Path
Suspicious RegAsm or RegSvcs Spawned by Script Host (via process_creation)
Suspicious Extexport DLL Side-Loading Execution
Malicious ClickFix Execution Chain Spawning MSHTA via Pcalua on EtherRAT Infection
Suspicious TALONITE Certutil LOLBIN Decode and Download Abuse (via process_creation)
Suspicious Renamed git Binary gcmd.exe Execution (via process_creation)
Windows: MSOHTMED.EXE Arbitrary File Download Using HTTP/FTP URLs
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.