HackTool - Htran/NATBypass Execution
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About the rule
Rule Type
Standard
Rule Description
Detects execution of Htran or Htran-like proxy tools such as NATBypass by identifying common executable names and command-line flags typically used to create covert network tunnels.
Severity
Trouble
Rule journey
Attack chain scenario
Execution → Command and Control (T1090: Proxy)
Impact
Enables adversaries to proxy network traffic covertly, bypass network defenses, and maintain persistent communication with compromised systems.
Rule Requirement
Prerequisites
Process creation auditing with command-line logging enabled. Presence of Htran or similar tunneling tools executing with typical proxy-related parameters.
Criteria
Action1: actionname = "Process started" AND PROCESSNAME endswith "\htran.exe,\lcx.exe" OR COMMANDLINE contains ".exe -tran ,.exe -slave " select Action1.HOSTNAME,Action1.MESSAGE,Action1.COMMANDLINE,Action1.FILE_NAME,Action1.PROCESSNAME,Action1.USERNAME,Action1.PARENTPROCESSNAME
Detection
Execution Mode
realtime
Log Sources
Windows
MITRE ATT&CK
T1090: Command and Control - Proxy
Security Standards
- Network traffic filtering to block communications with known anonymity networks and adversary infrastructure
- Network intrusion detection and prevention systems configured with rules for known C2 protocols
- SSL/TLS inspection to detect covert or domain fronting traffic
Author
Florian Roth (Nextron Systems)
Future actions
Known False Positives
Unknown
Next Steps
- Investigate suspicious executions of htran.exe, lcx.exe, or related command-line parameters
- Apply network filtering and intrusion prevention to block proxy/tunneling communications
- Enable encrypted traffic inspection where feasible to detect evasive techniques
- Maintain enhanced logging and monitoring of process creation and network events for proactive detection
Mitigation
Mitigation ID | Name | Description |
M1037 | Filter Network Traffic | Block traffic to known anonymity networks and C2 infrastructure using network allow and block lists to disrupt proxy tools. |
M1031 | Network Intrusion Prevention | Deploy network intrusion detection and prevention systems with signatures for known adversary proxy and tunneling techniques. |
M1020 | SSL/TLS Inspection | Inspect encrypted HTTPS traffic to detect domain fronting and covert proxy channels used by tools like Htran/NATBypass. |
