Detectionhightest

Suspicious MSHTA Child Process

Detects a suspicious process spawning from an "mshta.exe" process, which could be indicative of a malicious HTA script execution

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Launch

Michael HaagCreated Wed Jan 16Updated Mon Feb 0603cc0c25-389f-4bf8-b48d-11878079f1cawindows

Log Source

WindowsProcess Creation

ProductWindows← raw: windows

CategoryProcess Creation← raw: process_creation

Events generated when a new process is spawned on the system. Covers command-line arguments, parent/child relationships, and process metadata.

Detection Logic

detection:
    selection_parent:
        ParentImage|endswith: '\mshta.exe'
    selection_child:
        - Image|endswith:
              - '\cmd.exe'
              - '\powershell.exe'
              - '\pwsh.exe'
              - '\wscript.exe'
              - '\cscript.exe'
              - '\sh.exe'
              - '\bash.exe'
              - '\reg.exe'
              - '\regsvr32.exe'
              - '\bitsadmin.exe'
        - OriginalFileName:
              - 'Cmd.Exe'
              - 'PowerShell.EXE'
              - 'pwsh.dll'
              - 'wscript.exe'
              - 'cscript.exe'
              - 'Bash.exe'
              - 'reg.exe'
              - 'REGSVR32.EXE'
              - 'bitsadmin.exe'
    condition: all of selection*