Adversaries may use MSBuild to proxy execution of code through a trusted Windows utility. MSBuild.exe (Microsoft Build Engine) is a software build platform used by Visual Studio. It handles XML formatted project files that define requirements for loading and building various platforms and configurations.^[1]

Adversaries can abuse MSBuild to proxy execution of malicious code. The inline task capability of MSBuild that was introduced in .NET version 4 allows for C# or Visual Basic code to be inserted into an XML project file.^[1],[2] MSBuild will compile and execute the inline task. MSBuild.exe is a signed Microsoft binary, so when it is used this way it can execute arbitrary code and bypass application control defenses that are configured to allow MSBuild.exe execution.^[3]

References

1. Microsoft. (n.d.). MSBuild1. Retrieved November 30, 2016.
2. Microsoft. (2017, September 21). MSBuild inline tasks. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
3. LOLBAS. (n.d.). Msbuild.exe. Retrieved July 31, 2019.

Incidencias vinculadas

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