sethc.exe

  • File Path: C:\windows\SysWOW64\sethc.exe
  • Description: Accessibility shortcut keys

Hashes

Type Hash
MD5 406DBF91AAFCBA4331AA0B487D578E33
SHA1 D0F39007C0E9BA21B62D7BE40EE7EFCC9B1C2189
SHA256 708DCEEDC93B0DA05583E0320FBD36B952E1DBA1F5C896CCAC2FBF1BA0D86C17
SHA384 7DB7F3F4AB13CE16DD76C091FB4DA97D1472CA60E4EFA868BB7F9ABA37577D1FAED19C687B3E561B92929909E50A5941
SHA512 42B446D02320B9A86B9B43517AD410336D7D6DF41FB391D8A0BFAA39919C6017E19A00866239FECD276F6BC34997BECD1DEC5EC6FD7F6A7CF874DD9560D334D6
SSDEEP 6144:+gGAJhJYQYH8AlGr66uFz2LJGRg4kLNnei36cw:i8LYhjFCdUc

Signature

  • Status: Signature verified.
  • Serial: 33000001C422B2F79B793DACB20000000001C4
  • Thumbprint: AE9C1AE54763822EEC42474983D8B635116C8452
  • Issuer: CN=Microsoft Windows Production PCA 2011, O=Microsoft Corporation, L=Redmond, S=Washington, C=US
  • Subject: CN=Microsoft Windows, O=Microsoft Corporation, L=Redmond, S=Washington, C=US

File Metadata

  • Original Filename: sethc.exe.mui
  • Product Name: Microsoft Windows Operating System
  • Company Name: Microsoft Corporation
  • File Version: 10.0.17763.1 (WinBuild.160101.0800)
  • Product Version: 10.0.17763.1
  • Language: English (United States)
  • Legal Copyright: Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

File Similarity (ssdeep match)

File Score
C:\Windows\system32\EaseOfAccessDialog.exe 65
C:\windows\system32\EaseOfAccessDialog.exe 63
C:\Windows\system32\EaseOfAccessDialog.exe 63
C:\Windows\system32\EaseOfAccessDialog.exe 66
C:\Windows\system32\sethc.exe 72
C:\Windows\system32\sethc.exe 61
C:\windows\system32\sethc.exe 61
C:\Windows\system32\sethc.exe 74
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\EaseOfAccessDialog.exe 65
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\EaseOfAccessDialog.exe 58
C:\windows\SysWOW64\EaseOfAccessDialog.exe 65
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\EaseOfAccessDialog.exe 68
C:\windows\SysWOW64\sethc.exe 65
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\sethc.exe 80
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\sethc.exe 58

Possible Misuse

The following table contains possible examples of sethc.exe being misused. While sethc.exe is not inherently malicious, its legitimate functionality can be abused for malicious purposes.

Source Source File Example License
sigma proc_creation_win_install_reg_debugger_backdoor.yml - 'sethc.exe' DRL 1.0
sigma proc_creation_win_stickykey_like_backdoor.yml - 'sethc.exe' DRL 1.0
sigma proc_creation_win_sticky_keys_unauthenticated_privileged_cmd_access.yml CommandLine: 'copy /y C:\windows\system32\cmd.exe C:\windows\system32\sethc.exe' DRL 1.0
sigma registry_event_stickykey_like_backdoor.yml - '\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\sethc.exe\Debugger' DRL 1.0
atomic-red-team T1546.008.md Two common accessibility programs are C:\Windows\System32\sethc.exe, launched when the shift key is pressed five times and C:\Windows\System32\utilman.exe, launched when the Windows + U key combination is pressed. The sethc.exe program is often referred to as “sticky keys”, and has been used by adversaries for unauthenticated access through a remote desktop login screen. (Citation: FireEye Hikit Rootkit) MIT License. © 2018 Red Canary
atomic-red-team T1546.008.md | parent_list | Comma separated list of system binaries to which you want to attach each #{attached_process}. Default: “osk.exe” | String | osk.exe, sethc.exe, utilman.exe, magnify.exe, narrator.exe, DisplaySwitch.exe, atbroker.exe| MIT License. © 2018 Red Canary
atomic-red-team T1546.008.md Replace sticky keys binary (sethc.exe) with cmd.exe MIT License. © 2018 Red Canary
atomic-red-team T1546.008.md copy C:\Windows\System32\sethc.exe C:\Windows\System32\sethc_backup.exe MIT License. © 2018 Red Canary
atomic-red-team T1546.008.md takeown /F C:\Windows\System32\sethc.exe /A MIT License. © 2018 Red Canary
atomic-red-team T1546.008.md icacls C:\Windows\System32\sethc.exe /grant Administrators:F /t MIT License. © 2018 Red Canary
atomic-red-team T1546.008.md copy /Y C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe C:\Windows\System32\sethc.exe MIT License. © 2018 Red Canary
atomic-red-team T1546.008.md copy /Y C:\Windows\System32\sethc_backup.exe C:\Windows\System32\sethc.exe MIT License. © 2018 Red Canary
signature-base cn_pentestset_scripts.yar $s1 = “success = obj.run("cmd /c takeown /f %SystemRoot%\system32\sethc.exe&echo y| “ ascii /* PEStudio Blacklist: strings */ CC BY-NC 4.0
signature-base cn_pentestset_tools.yar description = “Sample from CN Honker Pentest Toolset - file T00ls Lpk Sethc v4.0.exe” CC BY-NC 4.0
signature-base cn_pentestset_tools.yar description = “Sample from CN Honker Pentest Toolset - file T00ls Lpk Sethc v3.0.exe” CC BY-NC 4.0
signature-base cn_pentestset_tools.yar description = “Sample from CN Honker Pentest Toolset - file T00ls Lpk Sethc v2.exe” CC BY-NC 4.0
signature-base cn_pentestset_tools.yar $s2 = “\dllcache\sethc.exe” fullword ascii CC BY-NC 4.0
signature-base cn_pentestset_tools.yar $s2 = “\sethc.exe /G everyone:F” fullword ascii /* PEStudio Blacklist: strings */ CC BY-NC 4.0
signature-base cn_pentestset_tools.yar $s1 = “\sethc.exe /G everyone:F” fullword ascii /* PEStudio Blacklist: strings */ CC BY-NC 4.0
signature-base cn_pentestset_tools.yar $s3 = “\dllcache\sethc.exe” fullword ascii CC BY-NC 4.0
signature-base cn_pentestset_tools.yar $s3 = “\sethc.exe /G everyone:F” fullword ascii /* PEStudio Blacklist: strings */ CC BY-NC 4.0
signature-base thor_inverse_matches.yar description = “Sethc.exe has been replaced - Indicates Remote Access Hack RDP” CC BY-NC 4.0
signature-base thor_inverse_matches.yar $s4 = “SETHC.EXE” wide fullword CC BY-NC 4.0
signature-base thor_inverse_matches.yar filename == “sethc.exe” CC BY-NC 4.0

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