> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/analytics-alerts/alerts-by-name/mshta-exe-spawns-from-a-browser-process.md).
# Mshta.exe spawns from a browser process
### Synopsis
| Field | Value |
| -------------------- | ------------------------------------------------ |
| Activation Period | 14 Days |
| Training Period | 30 Days |
| Test Period | N/A (single event) |
| Deduplication Period | 1 Day |
| Required Data | XDR Agent |
| Detector Tags | LOLBIN Execution Analytics |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Defense Evasion (TA0005) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | System Binary Proxy Execution: Mshta (T1218.005) |
| Severity | Low |
### Description
Mshta is the Microsoft HTML Application Host. It executes HTML applications on Windows. Detected when a browser process has spawned mshta, which can be a potential attack vector.
### Attacker's Goals
Execute malicious code through system binary proxy execution to bypass application controls and security monitoring.
### Investigative actions
* Examine the command line arguments passed to mshta for suspicious URLs or file paths.
* Check the browser process that spawned mshta for signs of compromise.
* Review network connections around the time of execution.
* Analyze any HTML applications (.hta files) that may have been executed.
### Variations
Mshta.exe spawns from a browser process that executes a script from a URL
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------ |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Defense Evasion (TA0005) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | System Binary Proxy Execution: Mshta (T1218.005) |
| Severity | Medium |
**Description**
Mshta is the Microsoft HTML Application Host. It executes HTML applications on Windows. Detected when a browser process has spawned mshta, which can be a potential attack vector.
**Attacker's Goals**
Execute malicious code through system binary proxy execution to bypass application controls and security monitoring.
**Investigative actions**
* Examine the command line arguments passed to mshta for suspicious URLs or file paths.
* Check the browser process that spawned mshta for signs of compromise.
* Review network connections around the time of execution.
* Analyze any HTML applications (.hta files) that may have been executed.
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