Adversaries may abuse msiexec.exe to proxy execution of malicious payloads. Msiexec.exe is the command-line utility for the Windows Installer and is thus commonly associated with executing installation packages (.msi).(Citation: Microsoft msiexec) The Msiexec.exe binary may also be digitally signed by Microsoft.
Adversaries may abuse msiexec.exe to launch local or network accessible MSI files. Msiexec.exe can also execute DLLs.(Citation: LOLBAS Msiexec)(Citation: TrendMicro Msiexec Feb 2018) Since it may be signed and native on Windows systems, msiexec.exe can be used to bypass application control solutions that do not account for its potential abuse. Msiexec.exe execution may also be elevated to SYSTEM privileges if the <code>AlwaysInstallElevated</code> policy is enabled.(Citation: Microsoft AlwaysInstallElevated 2018)
View in MITRE ATT&CK®| Capability ID | Capability Description | Mapping Type | ATT&CK ID | ATT&CK Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AC-2 | Account Management | Protects | T1218.007 | Msiexec |
| AC-3 | Access Enforcement | Protects | T1218.007 | Msiexec |
| AC-5 | Separation of Duties | Protects | T1218.007 | Msiexec |
| AC-6 | Least Privilege | Protects | T1218.007 | Msiexec |
| CM-2 | Baseline Configuration | Protects | T1218.007 | Msiexec |
| CM-5 | Access Restrictions for Change | Protects | T1218.007 | Msiexec |
| CM-6 | Configuration Settings | Protects | T1218.007 | Msiexec |
| CM-7 | Least Functionality | Protects | T1218.007 | Msiexec |
| IA-2 | Identification and Authentication (organizational Users) | Protects | T1218.007 | Msiexec |
| action.hacking.variety.Abuse of functionality | Abuse of functionality. | related-to | T1218.007 | Signed Binary Proxy Execution: Msiexec |