Detect HTML Help URL in Command Line
The following analytic detects the execution of hh.exe (HTML Help) loading a Compiled HTML Help (CHM) file from a remote URL. This detection leverages data from Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) agents, focusing…
Description
The following analytic detects the execution of hh.exe (HTML Help) loading a Compiled HTML Help (CHM) file from a remote URL. This detection leverages data from Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) agents, focusing on command-line executions containing URLs. This activity is significant as it can indicate an attempt to execute malicious scripts via CHM files, potentially leading to unauthorized code execution. If confirmed malicious, this could allow an attacker to run scripts using engines like JScript or VBScript, leading to further system compromise or data exfiltration.
Detection logic
Detection requirements
- Platform
- Windows
The rule states no platform. This is derived from the ATT&CK technique it maps to.
Known benign triggers
- Although unlikely, some legitimate applications may retrieve a CHM remotely, filter as needed.
MITRE ATT&CK mappings
0 exclusive techniques.This is coverage no other published rule has; it is not this rule's total technique count.
References
| Reference | Cited by |
|---|---|
| attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1218/001/ | 5 |
| blog.sevagas.com/?Hacking-around-HTA-files | Only this detection cites it |
| gist.github.com/mgeeky/cce31c8602a144d8f2172a73d510e0e7 | 3 |
| github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/388942adbd9641f4dfdcf079d7efe9a75ec0ac43/atomics/T1218.001/T1218.001.yaml#L30 | 4 |
| github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/master/atomics/T1218.001/T1218.001.md | 4 |
| lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/Binaries/Hh/ | 4 |
| web.archive.org/web/20220119133748/https://cyberforensicator.com/2019/01/20/silence-dissecting-malicious-chm-files-and-performing-forensic-analysis/ | 3 |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- 8c5835b9-39d9-438b-817c-95f14c69a31e
- Tagged by the source as
- APT37 Rustonotto and FadeStealerCisco Network Visibility Module AnalyticsCompromised Windows HostLiving Off The LandSuspicious Compiled HTML ActivityEndpointendpointSplunk CloudSplunk EnterpriseSplunk Enterprise Securityendpoint
Licence
- Published under
- Apache License 2.0Read the licence
- Attribution
- Required
- Obtained under
- Apache-2.0Read the origin licence
Authorship
- Written by
- Published
- Oct 13, 2026
- Version
- 2