Execution Prevention

System settings can prevent applications from running that haven't been downloaded through the Apple Store which may help mitigate some of these issues. Not allowing unsigned applications from being run may also mitigate some risk.

Application control and software restriction tools, such as SELinux, KSPP, grsecurity MODHARDEN, and Linux kernel tuning can aid in restricting kernel module loading.^{[4][5][6][7][8]}

Prevents malicious shortcuts or LNK files from executing unwanted code by ensuring only authorized applications and scripts are allowed to run.

Use application control where appropriate. PowerShell Constrained Language mode can be used to restrict access to sensitive or otherwise dangerous language elements such as those used to execute arbitrary Windows APIs or files (e.g., Add-Type).^[9]

Use application control where appropriate.

Use application control where appropriate.

Use application control where appropriate. On ESXi hosts, the execInstalledOnly feature prevents binaries from being run unless they have been packaged and signed as part of a vSphere installation bundle (VIB).^[10]

Use application control where appropriate. VBA macros obtained from the Internet, based on the file's Mark of the Web (MOTW) attribute, may be blocked from executing in Office applications (ex: Access, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, and Word) by default starting in Windows Version 2203.^[11]

Denylist Python where not required.

Denylist scripting where appropriate.

TACACS+ can keep control over which commands administrators are permitted to use through the configuration of authentication and command authorization. ^[12]

Use application control where appropriate to block use of PowerShell CmdLets or other host based resources to access cloud API resources.

Use application control to prevent execution of AutoIt3.exe, AutoHotkey.exe, and other related features that may not be required for a given system or network to prevent potential misuse by adversaries.

Denylist Lua interpreters where appropriate.

Allow applications via known hashes.

Adversaries can replace accessibility features binaries with alternate binaries to execute this technique. Identify and block potentially malicious software executed through accessibility features functionality by using application control ^[1] tools, like Windows Defender Application Control^[15], AppLocker, ^{[2] [3]} or Software Restriction Policies ^[16] where appropriate. ^[17]

Adversaries install new AppCertDLL binaries to execute this technique. Identify and block potentially malicious software executed through AppCertDLLs functionality by using application control ^[1] tools, like Windows Defender Application Control^[15], AppLocker, ^{[2] [3]} or Software Restriction Policies ^[16] where appropriate. ^[17]

Adversaries can install new AppInit DLLs binaries to execute this technique. Identify and block potentially malicious software executed through AppInit DLLs functionality by using application control ^[1] tools, like Windows Defender Application Control^[15], AppLocker, ^{[2] [3]} or Software Restriction Policies ^[16] where appropriate. ^[17]

Use application control to mitigate installation and use of unapproved virtualization software.

Identify and block potentially malicious software executed through DLL hijacking by using application control solutions capable of blocking DLLs loaded by legitimate software.^[19]

Adversaries may use new payloads to execute this technique. Identify and block potentially malicious software executed through hijacking by using application control solutions also capable of blocking libraries loaded by legitimate software.

Adversaries will likely need to place new binaries in locations to be executed through this weakness. Identify and block potentially malicious software executed path interception by using application control tools, like Windows Defender Application Control, AppLocker, or Software Restriction Policies where appropriate.^{[20][15][2][3][21][22]}

Adversaries will likely need to place new binaries in locations to be executed through this weakness. Identify and block potentially malicious software executed path interception by using application control tools, like Windows Defender Application Control, AppLocker, or Software Restriction Policies where appropriate.^{[20][15][2][3][21][22]}

Adversaries will likely need to place new binaries in locations to be executed through this weakness. Identify and block potentially malicious software executed path interception by using application control tools, like Windows Defender Application Control, AppLocker, or Software Restriction Policies where appropriate.^{[20][15][2][3][21][22]}

Identify and block potentially malicious unmanaged COR_PROFILER profiling DLLs by using application control solutions like AppLocker that are capable of auditing and/or blocking unapproved DLLs.^[1][2][3]

Use application control where appropriate, especially regarding the execution of tools outside of the organization's security policies (such as rootkit removal tools) that have been abused to impair system defenses. Ensure that only approved security applications are used and running on enterprise systems.

Use application controls to mitigate installation and use of payloads that may be utilized to spoof security alerting.

Use tools that restrict program execution via application control by attributes other than file name for common operating system utilities that are needed.

Ensure that input sanitization is performed and that files are validated properly before execution; furthermore, implement a strict allow list to ensure that only authorized file types are processed.^[23] Restrict and/or block execution of files where headers and extensions do not match.

Use Group Policies to require user authentication by disabling anonymous tunnel access, preventing any unauthenticated tunnel creation or usage. Disable the Visual Studio Dev Tunnels feature to block tunnel-related commands, allowing only minimal exceptions for utility functions (unset, echo, ping, and user). Restrict tunnel access to approved Microsoft Entra tenant IDs by specifying allowed tenants; all other users are denied access by default.^[24][25]

Use application control to mitigate installation and use of unapproved software that can be used for remote access.

Set a browser extension allow or deny list as appropriate for your security policy.^[27]

Set an IDE extension allow or deny list as appropriate for your security policy.

System settings can prevent applications from running that haven't been downloaded through the Apple Store which can help mitigate some of these issues.

Enable application control solutions such as AppLocker and/or Device Guard to block the loading of malicious SIP DLLs.

Consider blocking container file types at web and/or email gateways. Consider unregistering container file extensions in Windows File Explorer.^[28]

Consider using application control to prevent execution of hh.exe if it is not required for a given system or network to prevent potential misuse by adversaries.

Identify and block potentially malicious and unknown .cpl files by using application control ^[1] tools, like Windows Defender Application Control^[15], AppLocker, ^{[2] [3]} or Software Restriction Policies ^[16] where appropriate. ^[17]

Consider using application control configured to block execution of CMSTP.exe if it is not required for a given system or network to prevent potential misuse by adversaries.

Use application control configured to block execution of InstallUtil.exe if it is not required for a given system or network to prevent potential misuse by adversaries.

Use application control configured to block execution of mshta.exe if it is not required for a given system or network to prevent potential misuse by adversaries. For example, in Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016 and above, Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) policy rules may be applied to block the mshta.exe application and to prevent abuse.^[29]

Use application control configured to block execution of Odbcconf.exe if it is not required for a given system or network to prevent potential misuse by adversaries.

Block execution of Regsvcs.exe and Regasm.exe if they are not required for a given system or network to prevent potential misuse by adversaries.

Use application control configured to block execution of verclsid.exe if it is not required for a given system or network to prevent potential misuse by adversaries.

Use application control configured to block execution of mavinject.exe if it is not required for a given system or network to prevent potential misuse by adversaries.

Use application control configured to block execution of MMC if it is not required for a given system or network to prevent potential misuse by adversaries.

Where possible, enforce binary and application integrity with digital signature verification to prevent untrusted code from executing. For example, do not use shell.openExternal with untrusted content.

Where possible, set nodeIntegration to false, which disables access to the Node.js function.^[30] By disabling access to the Node.js function, this may limit the ability to execute malicious commands by injecting JavaScript code.

Do not disable webSecurity, which may allow for users of the application to invoke malicious content from online sources.

Certain signed scripts that can be used to execute other programs may not be necessary within a given environment. Use application control configured to block execution of these scripts if they are not required for a given system or network to prevent potential misuse by adversaries.

Certain signed scripts that can be used to execute other programs may not be necessary within a given environment. Use application control configured to block execution of these scripts if they are not required for a given system or network to prevent potential misuse by adversaries.

Use application control configured to block execution of msbuild.exe if it is not required for a given system or network to prevent potential misuse by adversaries. For example, in Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016 and above, Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) policy rules may be applied to block the msbuild.exe application and to prevent abuse.^[29]

Consider blocking or restricting JamPlus if not required.

Application control may be able to prevent the running of executables masquerading as other files.

Use application control where appropriate. PowerShell Constrained Language mode can be used to restrict access to sensitive or otherwise dangerous language elements such as those used to execute arbitrary Windows APIs or files (e.g., Add-Type).^[9]