Detect MSHTA Url in Command Line
The following analytic detects the use of Microsoft HTML Application Host (mshta.exe) to make remote HTTP or HTTPS connections. It leverages data from Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) agents, focusing on…
Description
The following analytic detects the use of Microsoft HTML Application Host (mshta.exe) to make remote HTTP or HTTPS connections. It leverages data from Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) agents, focusing on command-line arguments containing URLs. This activity is significant because adversaries often use mshta.exe to download and execute remote .hta files, bypassing security controls. If confirmed malicious, this behavior could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code, potentially leading to system compromise, data exfiltration, or further network infiltration.
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
- It is possible legitimate applications may perform this behavior and will need to be filtered.
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 |
|---|---|
| denwp.com/dissecting-lumma-malware/ | Only this detection cites it |
| docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/search/-search-3x-wds-extidx-prot-implementing | 3 |
| github.com/redcanaryco/AtomicTestHarnesses | 6 |
| github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/388942adbd9641f4dfdcf079d7efe9a75ec0ac43/atomics/T1218.005/T1218.005.yaml#L32 | 3 |
| redcanary.com/blog/introducing-atomictestharnesses/ | 7 |
| www.mcafee.com/blogs/other-blogs/mcafee-labs/behind-the-captcha-a-clever-gateway-of-malware/ | Only this detection cites it |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- 9b3af1e6-5b68-11eb-ae93-0242ac130002
- Tagged by the source as
- APT37 Rustonotto and FadeStealerCisco Network Visibility Module AnalyticsCompromised Windows HostLiving Off The LandLumma StealerNetSupport RMM Tool AbuseStarland RAT CampaignSuspicious MSHTA ActivityXWormEndpointendpointSplunk 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