XBAP Execution From Uncommon Locations Via PresentationHost.EXE — Sigma Rule

Rule metadata and linked tags

Author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems). Source status: test; severity: medium. Source dates: 2022-07-01 / 2023-11-09.

{
  "category": "process_creation",
  "product": "windows"
}

Pinned original Sigma rule · Detection Rule License 1.1

Source SHA-256: 2e6631e2880c7229fa834fed52ec3bcadffbf57f7138ceb8d8381528359cca45

Detection logic

Original source YAML. Source-tag agreement is not proof of complete semantic coverage. This rule has not been compiled for a SIEM backend or validated against live telemetry here.

title: XBAP Execution From Uncommon Locations Via PresentationHost.EXE
id: d22e2925-cfd8-463f-96f6-89cec9d9bc5f
status: test
description: |
    Detects the execution of ".xbap" (Browser Applications) files via PresentationHost.EXE from an uncommon location. These files can be abused to run malicious ".xbap" files any bypass AWL
references:
    - https://lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/Binaries/Presentationhost/
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2022-07-01
modified: 2023-11-09
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1218
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_img:
        - Image|endswith: '\presentationhost.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'PresentationHost.exe'
    selection_cli:
        CommandLine|contains: '.xbap'
    filter_main_generic:
        CommandLine|contains: # Filter out legitimate locations if you find them
            - ' C:\Windows\'
            - ' C:\Program Files'
    condition: all of selection* and not 1 of filter_main_*
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate ".xbap" being executed via "PresentationHost"
level: medium

Original YAML and metadata in JSON

False positives

• Legitimate ".xbap" being executed via "PresentationHost"

Source references

• https://lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/Binaries/Presentationhost/