T1059.010SubTechniqueexecution

T1059.010AutoHotKey & AutoIT

Sub-technique of T1059

Platforms: Windows

ATT&CK version: v19.1

What it is

Adversaries may execute commands and perform malicious tasks using AutoIT and AutoHotKey automation scripts. AutoIT and AutoHotkey (AHK) are scripting languages that enable users to automate Windows tasks. These automation scripts can be used to perform a wide variety of actions, such as clicking on buttons, entering text, and opening and closing programs.(Citation: AutoIT)(Citation: AutoHotKey) Adversaries may use AHK (`.ahk`) and AutoIT (`.au3`) scripts to execute malicious code on a victim's system. For example, adversaries have used for AHK to execute payloads and other modular malware such as keyloggers. Adversaries have also used custom AHK files containing embedded malware as [Phishing](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1566) payloads.(Citation: Splunk DarkGate) These scripts may also be compiled into self-contained executable payloads (`.exe`).(Citation: AutoIT)(Citation: AutoHotKey)

ATT&CK tactics· 1

Execution

References

  1. https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1059/010
  2. https://www.autohotkey.com/docs/v1/Program.htm
  3. https://www.autoitscript.com/autoit3/docs/intro/running.htm
  4. https://www.splunk.com/en_us/blog/security/enter-the-gates-an-analysis-of-the-darkgate-autoit-loader.html
Sourced from MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise v14.1. Curated and contextualized for EU compliance use cases by Adam Lundqvist, Founder at SQUR.
T1059.010: AutoHotKey & AutoIT | SQUR Knowledge Base