Logon Triggered

Startup Folder

  • User Startup Folder - Runs all programs in the directory of the <username> logs in

C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
  • Global Startup Folder - Force all user to run programs in this directory

C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

Registry - Run/RunOnce

  • Registry has the following location for application running at logon

    • HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run - Current User - Run at logon

    • HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce - Current User - Run only once

    • HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run - All Users - Run at logon

    • HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce - All Users - Run only once

  • Create key value pair:

backdoor -> C:\Windows\reverse_shell.exe

Winlogon

  • Winlogon - windows component that loads user profile after user authenticates

  • Winlogon registry keys are located at : HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

  • Interesting Keys in the registry:

    • Userinit -> userinit.exe (restores the user preference)

    • Shell -> explorer.exe (system's shell)

  • We can append our reverse shell in userinit.exe after ,

  • Userinit -> userinit.exe,reverse_shell.exe

Logon Scripts

  • Apart from loading the user profile, userinit.exe checks for an environment variable UserInitMprLogonScript. This environment variable can be used to run scripts when user logs in.

  • This variable is located at: HKCU\Environment

  • UserInitMprLogonScript -> C:\Windows\reverse.exe

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