Detectionhightest

Remotely Hosted HTA File Executed Via Mshta.EXE

Detects execution of the "mshta" utility with an argument containing the "http" keyword, which could indicate that an attacker is executing a remotely hosted malicious hta file

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Launch
Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)Created Mon Aug 08Updated Mon Feb 06b98d0db6-511d-45de-ad02-e82a98729620windows
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 Logic2 selectors
detection:
    selection_img:
        - Image|endswith: '\mshta.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'MSHTA.EXE'
    selection_cli:
        CommandLine|contains:
            - 'http://'
            - 'https://'
            - 'ftp://'
    condition: all of selection_*
False Positives
Unknown

False positive likelihood has not been assessed. Additional context may be needed during triage.

Rule Metadata
Rule ID
b98d0db6-511d-45de-ad02-e82a98729620
Status
test
Level
high
Type
Detection
Created
Mon Aug 08
Modified
Mon Feb 06
Path
rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_mshta_http.yml
Raw Tags
attack.defense-evasionattack.executionattack.t1218.005
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