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MediumSplunk security contentTeoderick Contreras +1

Windows Mshta Execution In Registry

The following analytic detects the execution of mshta.exe via registry entries to run malicious scripts. It leverages registry activity logs to identify entries containing "mshta," "javascript," "vbscript," or…

Description

The following analytic detects the execution of mshta.exe via registry entries to run malicious scripts. It leverages registry activity logs to identify entries containing "mshta," "javascript," "vbscript," or "WScript.Shell." This behavior is significant as it indicates potential fileless malware, such as Kovter, which uses encoded scripts in the registry to persist and execute without files. If confirmed malicious, this activity could allow attackers to maintain persistence, execute arbitrary code, and evade traditional file-based detection methods, posing a significant threat to system integrity and security.

Detection logic

Detection requirements

Platform
Windows

The rule states no platform. This is derived from the ATT&CK technique it maps to.

Log source category
sysmon_eventid_13

Known benign triggers

  • No false positives have been identified at this time.

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