MITRE ATT&CKsub-technique
T1216.002 SyncAppvPublishingServer
- Domain
- enterprise
- Tactics
- Stealth
- Platforms
- Windows
- Version
- 2.0
- Created
- 2024-02-06
Description
Adversaries may abuse SyncAppvPublishingServer.vbs to proxy execution of malicious PowerShell commands. SyncAppvPublishingServer.vbs is a Visual Basic script associated with how Windows virtualizes applications (Microsoft Application Virtualization, or App-V). For example, Windows may render Win32 applications to users as virtual applications, allowing users to launch and interact with them as if they were installed locally.
The SyncAppvPublishingServer.vbs script is legitimate, may be signed by Microsoft, and is commonly executed from `\System32` through the command line via `wscript.exe`.
Adversaries may abuse SyncAppvPublishingServer.vbs to bypass PowerShell execution restrictions and evade defensive counter measures by "living off the land." Proxying execution may function as a trusted/signed alternative to directly invoking `powershell.exe`.
For example, PowerShell commands may be invoked using:
`SyncAppvPublishingServer.vbs "n; {PowerShell}"`
Related
Subtechnique of · MITRE ATT&CK (1)
- T1216 System Script Proxy Execution technique
Tactic · MITRE ATT&CK (1)
- TA0005 Stealth tactic
Referenced by MITRE ATT&CK · mitigates (1)
- M1038 Execution Prevention mitigation
References
- https://www.trellix.com/en-ca/about/newsroom/stories/research/suspected-darkhotel-apt-activity-update/ 4 - appv
- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/application-management/app-v/appv-getting-started 2 - appv
- https://lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/Scripts/Syncappvpublishingserver/ 5 - appv
- https://x.com/monoxgas/status/895045566090010624 7 - appv
- https://www.hackingarticles.in/indirect-command-execution-defense-evasion-t1202/ 3 - appv
- https://securelist.com/bluenoroff-methods-bypass-motw/108383/ 1 - appv
- https://strontic.github.io/xcyclopedia/library/SyncAppvPublishingServer.exe-3C291419F60CDF9C2E4E19AD89944FA3.html 6 - appv