>wsb.exe
Windows Sandbox command-line interface. Creates, lists, controls, and executes commands inside Windows Sandbox sessions from the host CLI.
Default Executable Paths
C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WindowsApps\wsb.exeIntegrity & Metadata
Documented in LOLBAS project by Konrad 'unrooted' Klawikowski.
Monitor process creation events where FileName is "wsb.exe" or command line references known attack arguments.
Executive Summary & AI Quick Reference
wsb.exe is a native utility pre-installed on Windows systems. Threat actors and red teams abuse wsb.exe as a Living-off-the-Land Binary (LOLBin) to achieve Execute without triggering traditional antivirus file-hash alerts. Legitimate system administrators use it for routine administration, making behavioral command-line telemetry essential for differentiation.
Weaponized Parameters & Proof-of-Concepts
Documented attack commands, parameter flags, and privilege prerequisites.
Executes the given command in a Windows Sandbox from an inline XML configuration with an embedded `<LogonCommand>`, leaving no `.wsb` file on disk. Note: `<LogonCommand>` only fires once `WDAGUtilityAccount` actually logs in, which only happens after an RDP session is established via `wsb connect`, so this pattern opens a visible Sandbox window.
wsb start --config "<Configuration><LogonCommand><Command>{CMD}</Command></LogonCommand></Configuration>"
wsb exec -r System --id YOUR_IDAllows the specified folder to be accessible from within the Windows Sandbox, mounted under `C:\users\WDAGUtilityAccount\Desktop` with the same folder name as the source folder. This allows, for example, for copying payloads from the host system into the sandbox (seen here), copying payloads from the sandbox back to the host system, or for accessing arbitrary host system files by the sandbox.
wsb start --config "<Configuration><MappedFolders><MappedFolder><HostFolder>{PATH_ABSOLUTE:folder}</HostFolder><ReadOnly>false</ReadOnly></MappedFolder></MappedFolders></Configuration>"
wsb exec -r System --id YOUR_ID -c "cmd.exe /c copy C:\users\WDAGUtilityAccount\Desktop\Temp\{PATH} {PATH}"Allows the specified folder to be accessible from within the Windows Sandbox, mounted at `c:\SOME_FOLDER`. This allows, for example, for copying payloads from the host system into the sandbox, copying payloads from the sandbox back to the host system (seen here), or for accessing arbitrary host system files by the sandbox.
wsb start
wsb share --id YOUR_ID -f {PATH_ABSOLUTE:folder} -s c:\SOME_FOLDER --allow-write
wsb exec -r System --id YOUR_ID -c "cmd.exe /c copy {PATH_ABSOLUTE} c:\SOME_FOLDER"SIEM & EDR Detection Rules
Production telemetry rules configured for Microsoft Defender, Sigma, and Splunk.
Telemetry & SIEM Detection Suite (wsb.exe)
Validated against MITRE T1564.0061// Microsoft Defender XDR / Microsoft Sentinel2// Tactic: Execute3DeviceProcessEvents4| where FileName =~ "wsb.exe"5| where ProcessCommandLine has_any ("wsb")6| project7 Timestamp,8 DeviceName,9 AccountName,10 InitiatingProcessParentFileName,11 InitiatingProcessFileName,12 InitiatingProcessCommandLine,13 FileName,14 FolderPath,15 ProcessCommandLine,16 MD5,17 SHA25618| sort by Timestamp descMitigation, Hardening & Prevention
Recommended defensive controls to block or constrain wsb.exe abuse.
Enforce Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) or AppLocker publisher rules to prevent execution outside approved enterprise administration scripts.
Enable ASR rules: Block executable content from email client and webmail and Block Office applications from creating child processes spawning wsb.exe.
Deploy the KQL, Sigma, and Splunk detection queries below. Alert on anomalous child processes, web requests to unrated external IPs, or encoded payload strings.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) • wsb.exe
Key operational questions and defensive answers about wsb.exe LOLBin tradecraft.
What is wsb.exe and why is it classified as a LOLBin?
wsb.exe is a legitimate, pre-installed or trusted utility on Windows. It is classified as a Living-off-the-Land Binary (LOLBin) because adversaries abuse its built-in functionality to perform malicious operations—such as Execute—without dropping custom malware binaries on disk.
How do threat actors abuse wsb.exe in cyber intrusions?
Adversaries leverage wsb.exe to execute stealthy actions while evading signature-based security controls. For example, attackers execute commands like "wsb start --config "<Configuration><LogonCommand><Command>{CMD}</Command></LogonCommand></Configuration>" wsb exec -r System --id YOUR_ID" to achieve Execute, masquerading behind legitimate system process lineage.
How can SOC analysts detect suspicious wsb.exe activity?
Detection engineers monitor process creation events (Windows Event ID 4688 or Sysmon Event ID 1; Linux auditd EXECVE; macOS Endpoint Security) inspecting anomalous command line arguments, unusual parent-child process relationships (e.g. Office apps or web servers spawning wsb.exe), and unexpected network connections.
What MITRE ATT&CK techniques does wsb.exe map to?
wsb.exe maps to MITRE ATT&CK technique(s): T1564.006. These techniques cover adversary actions across tactics such as Defense Evasion, Execution, Persistence, and Command and Control.
How can organizations mitigate and restrict wsb.exe?
Mitigation strategies include implementing Application Control policies (AppLocker or Windows Defender Application Control - WDAC), enforcing Attack Surface Reduction (ASR) rules, configuring strict privilege separation (disallowing standard users from running sensitive switches), and alerting on execution from non-standard directories.
Other High-Traffic WINDOWS LOLBins
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