T1546.013 - Event Triggered Execution: PowerShell Profile
Adversaries may gain persistence and elevate privileges by executing malicious content triggered by PowerShell profiles. A PowerShell profile (profile.ps1) is a script that runs when [PowerShell](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1059/001) starts and can be used as a logon script to customize user environments.
[PowerShell](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1059/001) supports several profiles depending on the user or host program. For example, there can be different profiles for [PowerShell](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1059/001) host programs such as the PowerShell console, PowerShell ISE or Visual Studio Code. An administrator can also configure a profile that applies to all users and host programs on the local computer. (Citation: Microsoft About Profiles)
Adversaries may modify these profiles to include arbitrary commands, functions, modules, and/or [PowerShell](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1059/001) drives to gain persistence. Every time a user opens a [PowerShell](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1059/001) session the modified script will be executed unless the -NoProfile flag is used when it is launched. (Citation: ESET Turla PowerShell May 2019)
An adversary may also be able to escalate privileges if a script in a PowerShell profile is loaded and executed by an account with higher privileges, such as a domain administrator. (Citation: Wits End and Shady PowerShell Profiles)
Atomic Tests
Atomic Test #1 - Append malicious start-process cmdlet
Appends a start process cmdlet to the current user’s powershell profile pofile that points to a malicious executable. Upon execution, calc.exe will be launched.
Supported Platforms: Windows
auto_generated_guid: 090e5aa5-32b6-473b-a49b-21e843a56896
| Name | Description | Type | Default Value |
|——|————-|——|—————|
| exe_path | Path the malicious executable | path | calc.exe|
| ps_profile | Powershell profile to use | string | $profile|
Attack Commands: Run with
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| Add-Content #{ps_profile} -Value ""
Add-Content #{ps_profile} -Value "Start-Process #{exe_path}"
powershell -Command exit
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Cleanup Commands:
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| $oldprofile = cat $profile | Select-Object -skiplast 1
Set-Content $profile -Value $oldprofile
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Dependencies: Run with
Description: Ensure a powershell profile exists for the current user
Check Prereq Commands:
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| if (Test-Path #{ps_profile}) {exit 0} else {exit 1}
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Get Prereq Commands:
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| New-Item -Path #{ps_profile} -Type File -Force
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