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) Msiexec.exe is 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 is signed and native on Windows systems, msiexec.exe can be used to bypass application control solutions that do not account for its potential abuse.
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-5 | Access Restrictions for Change | Protects | T1218.007 | Msiexec |
| CM-6 | Configuration Settings | Protects | T1218.007 | Msiexec |
| IA-2 | Identification and Authentication (organizational Users) | Protects | T1218.007 | Msiexec |