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35 changes: 35 additions & 0 deletions yml/OSBinaries/Applaunch.yml
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---
Name: Applaunch.exe
Description: ClickOnce partial-trust application launcher used by .NET. Can execute self-signed or untrusted ClickOnce applications without SmartScreen or standard AppLocker enforcement.
Author: Nathan Sawyer
Created: 2025-11-26
Commands:
- Command: >
"C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework64\v4.0.30319\Applaunch.exe"
/activate "{APPLICATION_URL}#{APPLICATION_METADATA}"
Description: Launches a ClickOnce application via Applaunch.exe. Bypasses SmartScreen and default AppLocker rules when the application is published as partial trust.
Usecase: Execute ClickOnce applications in environments where dfsvc.exe would normally enforce full-trust and SmartScreen checks. Can be abused as an AWL bypass in rare configurations.
Category: AWL Bypass
Privileges: User
MitreID: T1127.002
OperatingSystem: Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Windows 11
Tags:
- Execute: ClickOnce
- Execute: Local
- Execute: InstalledApplication

Full_Path:
- Path: C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727\Applaunch.exe
- Path: C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework64\v2.0.50727\Applaunch.exe
- Path: C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\Applaunch.exe
- Path: C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework64\v4.0.30319\Applaunch.exe

Detection:
- IOC: Applaunch.exe rarely executes unless any ClickOnce partial trusted apps are used. Any use or invocation outside dfsvc.exe with `/activate` should be considered suspicious.

Resources:
- Link: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/visualstudio/deployment/clickonce-security-and-deployment
- Link: https://web.archive.org/web/20060913192623/http://blogs.msdn.com/shawnfa/archive/2005/11/30/498610.aspx

Acknowledgement:
- Person: Nathan Sawyer