AutoHotKey & AutoIT
Where this stands
One published detection covers this technique. Every one is unverified — no rule on Siemphony has been executed against real telemetry.
What the technique is
Adversaries may execute commands and perform malicious tasks using AutoIT and AutoHotKey automation scripts. AutoIT and AutoHotkey (AHK) are scripting languages that enable users to automate Windows tasks. These automation scripts can be used to perform a wide variety of actions, such as clicking on buttons, entering text, and opening and closing programs. Adversaries may use AHK (.ahk) and AutoIT (.au3) scripts to execute malicious code on a victim's system. For example, adversaries have used for AHK to execute payloads and other modular malware such as keyloggers. Adversaries have also used custom AHK files containing embedded malware as Phishing payloads. These scripts may also be compiled into self-contained executable payloads (.exe).
Read it on attack.mitre.orgWhat MITRE says you would watch
- AN0942
Detects execution of AutoHotKey or AutoIT interpreters or compiled scripts used for unauthorized automation, command execution, or payload delivery, correlated with anomalous process lineage, command-line arguments, or script creation events.
Technique names and descriptions © MITRE ATT&CK®, CC BY 4.0. Not endorsed by MITRE.