Used by Windows to execute html applications. (.hta)
mshta.exe "C:\ads\file.txt:file.hta"
Opens the target .HTA and executes embedded JavaScript, JScript, or VBScript.
Execute code hidden in alternate data stream
C:\Windows\System32\mshta.exe, C:\Windows\SysWOW64\mshta.exe
Sigma: https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/c04bef2fbbe8beff6c7620d5d7ea6872dbe7acba/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_mshta_susp_pattern.yml, Sigma: https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/c04bef2fbbe8beff6c7620d5d7ea6872dbe7acba/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_hktl_invoke_obfuscation_via_use_mhsta.yml, Sigma: https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/c04bef2fbbe8beff6c7620d5d7ea6872dbe7acba/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_mshta_lethalhta_technique.yml, Sigma: https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/c04bef2fbbe8beff6c7620d5d7ea6872dbe7acba/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_mshta_javascript.yml, Sigma: https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/6312dd1d44d309608552105c334948f793e89f48/rules/windows/file/file_event/file_event_win_net_cli_artefact.yml, Sigma: https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/62d4fd26b05f4d81973e7c8e80d7c1a0c6a29d0e/rules/windows/image_load/image_load_susp_script_dotnet_clr_dll_load.yml, Elastic: https://github.com/elastic/detection-rules/blob/f8f643041a584621e66cf8e6d534ad3db92edc29/rules/windows/defense_evasion_mshta_beacon.toml, Elastic: https://github.com/elastic/detection-rules/blob/cc241c0b5ec590d76cb88ec638d3cc37f68b5d50/rules/windows/lateral_movement_dcom_hta.toml, Elastic: https://github.com/elastic/detection-rules/blob/82ec6ac1eeb62a1383792719a1943b551264ed16/rules/windows/defense_evasion_suspicious_managedcode_host_process.toml, Splunk: https://github.com/splunk/security_content/blob/08ed88bd88259c03c771c30170d2934ed0a8f878/stories/suspicious_mshta_activity.yml, Splunk: https://github.com/splunk/security_content/blob/bee2a4cefa533f286c546cbe6798a0b5dec3e5ef/detections/endpoint/detect_mshta_renamed.yml, Splunk: https://github.com/splunk/security_content/blob/18f63553a9dc1a34122fa123deae2b2f9b9ea391/detections/endpoint/suspicious_mshta_spawn.yml, Splunk: https://github.com/splunk/security_content/blob/18f63553a9dc1a34122fa123deae2b2f9b9ea391/detections/endpoint/suspicious_mshta_child_process.yml, Splunk: https://github.com/splunk/security_content/blob/bee2a4cefa533f286c546cbe6798a0b5dec3e5ef/detections/endpoint/detect_mshta_url_in_command_line.yml, BlockRule: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/windows-defender-application-control/microsoft-recommended-block-rules, IOC: mshta.exe executing raw or obfuscated script within the command-line, IOC: General usage of HTA file, IOC: msthta.exe network connection to Internet/WWW resource, IOC: DotNet CLR libraries loaded into mshta.exe, IOC: DotNet CLR Usage Log - mshta.exe.log
Casey Smith (@subtee), Oddvar Moe (@oddvarmoe), Nir Chako (Pentera) (@C_h4ck_0)