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Indirect Command Execution

Adversaries may abuse utilities that allow for command execution to bypass security restrictions that limit the use of command-line interpreters. Various Windows utilities may be used to execute commands, possibly without invoking cmd. For example, Forfiles, the Program Compatibility Assistant (pcalua.exe), components of the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), Scriptrunner.exe, as well as other utilities may invoke the execution of programs and commands from a Command and Scripting Interpreter, Run window, or via scripts.[1][2][3][4][5] Adversaries may also abuse the ssh.exe binary to execute malicious commands via the ProxyCommand and LocalCommand options, which can be invoked via the -o flag or by modifying the SSH config file.[6]

Adversaries may abuse these features for Defense Evasion, specifically to perform arbitrary execution while subverting detections and/or mitigation controls (such as Group Policy) that limit/prevent the usage of cmd or file extensions more commonly associated with malicious payloads.

ID: T1202
Sub-techniques:  No sub-techniques
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Tactic: Defense Evasion
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Platforms: Windows
Contributors: Liran Ravich, CardinalOps; Matthew Demaske, Adaptforward
Version: 1.3
Created: 18 April 2018
Last Modified: 15 April 2025
Version Permalink

Procedure Examples

ID Name Description
S0193 Forfiles

Forfiles can be used to subvert controls and possibly conceal command execution by not directly invoking cmd.[1][2]
G0032 Lazarus Group

Lazarus Group persistence mechanisms have used forfiles.exe to execute .htm files.[7]
G1039 RedCurl

RedCurl has used pcalua.exe to obfuscate binary execution and remote connections.[8]

S0379 Revenge RAT

Revenge RAT uses the Forfiles utility to execute commands on the system.[9]

Mitigations

This type of attack technique cannot be easily mitigated with preventive controls since it is based on the abuse of system features.

Detection

ID Data Source Data Component Detects
DS0017 Command Command Execution

Monitor executed commands and arguments to bypass security restrictions that limit the use of command-line interpreters. Look for suspicious command-line arguments, such as ssh.exe used with the ProxyCommand or LocalCommand options.

DS0009 Process Process Creation

Monitor for newly constructed processes and/or command-lines that can be used instead of invoking cmd (i.e. pcalua.exe, winrs.exe, cscript/wscript.exe, hh.exe, ssh.exe, or bash.exe). Compare recent invocations of utilities with prior history of known good arguments to determine anomalous and potentially adversarial activity.

References

  1. vector_sec. (2017, August 11). Defenders watching launches of cmd? What about forfiles?. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  2. Evi1cg. (2017, November 26). block cmd.exe ? try this :. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  3. Secure Team - Information Assurance. (2023, January 8). Windows Error Reporting Tool Abused to Load Malware. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  4. SS64. (n.d.). ScriptRunner.exe. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  5. Bill Toulas. (2023, January 4). Hackers abuse Windows error reporting tool to deploy malware. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  1. Cyble. (2024, December 5). Threat Actor Targets the Manufacturing industry with Lumma Stealer and Amadey Bot. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
  2. Pradhan, A. (2022, February 8). LolZarus: Lazarus Group Incorporating Lolbins into Campaigns. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  3. Tancio et al. (2024, March 6). Unveiling Earth Kapre aka RedCurl’s Cyberespionage Tactics With Trend Micro MDR, Threat Intelligence. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  4. Gannon, M. (2019, February 11). With Upgrades in Delivery and Support Infrastructure, Revenge RAT Malware is a Bigger Threat. Retrieved November 17, 2024.