Remote XSL Execution Via Msxsl.EXE

Hunt Hypothesis

Detects the execution of the “msxsl” binary with an “http” keyword in the command line. This might indicate a potential remote execution of XSL files.

Detection Rule

Sigma (Original)

title: Remote XSL Execution Via Msxsl.EXE
id: 75d0a94e-6252-448d-a7be-d953dff527bb
status: test
description: Detects the execution of the "msxsl" binary with an "http" keyword in the command line. This might indicate a potential remote execution of XSL files.
references:
    - https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1220/T1220.md
    - https://lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/OtherMSBinaries/Msxsl/
author: Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel
date: 2023-11-09
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1220
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        Image|endswith: '\msxsl.exe'
        CommandLine|contains: 'http'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Msxsl is not installed by default and is deprecated, so unlikely on most systems.
level: high

KQL (Azure Sentinel)

imProcessCreate
| where TargetProcessName endswith "\\msxsl.exe" and TargetProcessCommandLine contains "http"

Required Data Sources

False Positive Guidance

• Msxsl is not installed by default and is deprecated, so unlikely on most systems.

MITRE ATT&CK Context

• Technique: T1220 — T1220

References

• https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1220/T1220.md
• https://lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/OtherMSBinaries/Msxsl/
• SigmaHQ Rule