T1218.003_cmstp

T1218.003 CMSTP

Sub-technique of: T1218

High-Level Description

Adversaries may abuse CMSTP to proxy execution of malicious code. The Microsoft Connection Manager Profile Installer (CMSTP.exe) is a command-line program used to install Connection Manager service profiles. CMSTP.exe accepts an installation information file (INF) as a parameter and installs a service profile leveraged for remote access connections.

Adversaries may supply CMSTP.exe with INF files infected with malicious commands. Similar to Regsvr32 / ”Squiblydoo”, CMSTP.exe may be abused to load and execute DLLs and/or COM scriptlets (SCT) from remote servers. This execution may also bypass AppLocker and other application control defenses since CMSTP.exe is a legitimate binary that may be signed by Microsoft.

CMSTP.exe can also be abused to Bypass User Account Control and execute arbitrary commands from a malicious INF through an auto-elevated COM interface.

Kill Chain Phase

• Defense Evasion (TA0005)

Platforms: Windows

What to Check

• Identify if CMSTP technique is applicable to target environment
• Check Windows systems for indicators of CMSTP
• Verify mitigations are bypassed or absent (2 known mitigations)
• Assess detection coverage (1 detection strategies)

How to Test

Atomic Red Team Tests

The following tests are from Atomic Red Team and provide actionable ways to test this technique:

Atomic Test 1: CMSTP Executing Remote Scriptlet

Adversaries may supply CMSTP.exe with INF files infected with malicious commands

Supported Platforms: windows

cmstp.exe /s "#{inf_file_path}"

Dependencies:

• INF file must exist on disk at specified location (#{inf_file_path})

Atomic Test 2: CMSTP Executing UAC Bypass

Adversaries may invoke cmd.exe (or other malicious commands) by embedding them in the RunPreSetupCommandsSection of an INF file

Supported Platforms: windows

cmstp.exe /s "#{inf_file_uac}" /au

Dependencies:

• INF file must exist on disk at specified location (#{inf_file_uac})

Manual Testing

If Atomic Red Team tests are not applicable, manually verify the technique by:

1. Identify Attack Surface: Determine if the target environment is susceptible to CMSTP by examining the target platforms (Windows).

2. Assess Existing Defenses: Review whether mitigations for T1218.003 are in place. If defenses are absent or misconfigured, this technique may be exploitable.

3. Execute Test: Use tools and methods described in the MITRE ATT&CK page and external references below.

Remediation Guide

M1038 Execution Prevention

Consider using application control configured to block execution of CMSTP.exe if it is not required for a given system or network to prevent potential misuse by adversaries.

M1042 Disable or Remove Feature or Program

CMSTP.exe may not be necessary within a given environment (unless using it for VPN connection installation).

Detection

Detection of Malicious Profile Installation via CMSTP.exe

Risk Assessment

CWE Categories

References

• Twitter CMSTP Usage Jan 2018
• Microsoft Connection Manager Oct 2009
• MSitPros CMSTP Aug 2017
• GitHub Ultimate AppLocker Bypass List
• Endurant CMSTP July 2018
• Twitter CMSTP Jan 2018
• Atomic Red Team - T1218.003
• MITRE ATT&CK - T1218.003