t1202-indirect-command-execution

name	T1202_indirect-command-execution
description	Adversaries may abuse utilities that allow for command execution to bypass security restrictions that limit the use of command-line interpreters.
category	configuration
version	18.1
author	cyberstrike-official
tags	["mitre-attack","enterprise","t1202","defense-evasion","windows"]
technique_id	T1202
tactic	defense-evasion
all_tactics	["defense-evasion"]
platforms	["Windows"]
mitre_url	https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1202
tech_stack	["windows"]
cwe_ids	["CWE-693"]
chains_with	[]
prerequisites	[]
severity_boost	{}

T1202 Indirect Command Execution

High-Level Description

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. 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.

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.

Kill Chain Phase

• Defense Evasion (TA0005)

Platforms: Windows

What to Check

• Identify if Indirect Command Execution technique is applicable to target environment
• Check Windows systems for indicators of Indirect Command Execution
• Assess detection coverage (1 detection strategies)

How to Test

Atomic Red Team Tests

The following tests are from Atomic Red Team and provide actionable ways to test this technique:

Atomic Test 1: Indirect Command Execution - pcalua.exe

The Program Compatibility Assistant (pcalua.exe) may invoke the execution of programs and commands from a Command-Line Interface. Reference Upon execution, calc.exe should open

Supported Platforms: windows

pcalua.exe -a #{process}
pcalua.exe -a #{payload_path}

Atomic Test 2: Indirect Command Execution - forfiles.exe

forfiles.exe may invoke the execution of programs and commands from a Command-Line Interface. Reference "This is basically saying for each occurrence of notepad.exe in c:\windows\system32 run calc.exe" Upon execution calc.exe will be opened.