Script Execution via APDS XSS Injection

[rule]
description = """
Identifies attempts to execute a Windows script via a malicious Microsoft Management Console File abusing an known XSS
injection vulnerability in the APDS.dll resource. Adversaries may use MSC files for initial access and execution.
"""
id = "c1b4893e-49cb-4003-8e88-a7305c6bbf6d"
license = "Elastic License v2"
name = "Script Execution via APDS XSS Injection"
os_list = ["windows"]
reference = [
    "https://www.elastic.co/security-labs/grimresource",
    "https://medium.com/@knownsec404team/from-http-domain-to-res-domain-xss-by-using-ie-adobes-pdf-activex-plugin-ba4f082c8199",
]
version = "1.0.2"

query = '''
sequence by process.entity_id with maxspan=1m
 [process where event.action == "start" and
  process.executable : "?:\\Windows\\System32\\mmc.exe" and process.args : "*.msc"]
 [file where event.action == "open" and file.path : "?:\\Windows\\System32\\apds.dll"]
'''

min_endpoint_version = "7.16.0"
[[actions]]
action = "kill_process"
field = "process.entity_id"
state = 0
tree = true

[[optional_actions]]
action = "rollback"
field = "process.entity_id"
state = 0

[[threat]]
framework = "MITRE ATT&CK"
[[threat.technique]]
id = "T1059"
name = "Command and Scripting Interpreter"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1059/"
[[threat.technique.subtechnique]]
id = "T1059.005"
name = "Visual Basic"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1059/005/"

[[threat.technique.subtechnique]]
id = "T1059.007"
name = "JavaScript"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1059/007/"



[threat.tactic]
id = "TA0002"
name = "Execution"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0002/"
[[threat]]
framework = "MITRE ATT&CK"
[[threat.technique]]
id = "T1218"
name = "System Binary Proxy Execution"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1218/"
[[threat.technique.subtechnique]]
id = "T1218.014"
name = "MMC"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1218/014/"



[threat.tactic]
id = "TA0005"
name = "Defense Evasion"
reference = "https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0005/"

[internal]
min_endpoint_version = "7.16.0"