H3XAOperational intelligence
Live analytical pictureEvidence before assessment
Threat intelligence / Technique

Component Object Model

Adversaries may use the Windows Component Object Model (COM) for local code execution. COM is an inter-process communication (IPC) component of the native Windows application programming interface (API) that enables interaction between software objects, or executable code that implements one or more interfaces.(Citation: Fireeye Hunting COM June 2019) Through COM, a client object can call methods of server objects, which are typically binary Dynamic Link Libraries (DLL) or executables (EXE).(Citation: Microsoft COM) Remote COM execution is facilitated by [Remote Services](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1021) such as [Distributed Component Object Model](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1021/003) (DCOM).(Citation: Fireeye Hunting COM June 2019) Various COM interfaces are exposed that can be abused to invoke arbitrary execution via a variety of programming languages such as C, C++, Java, and [Visual Basic](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1059/005).(Citation: Microsoft COM) Specific COM objects also exist to directly perform functions beyond code execution, such as creating a [Scheduled Task/Job](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1053), fileless download/execution, and other adversary behaviors related to privilege escalation and persistence.(Citation: Fireeye Hunting COM June 2019)(Citation: ProjectZero File Write EoP Apr 2018)

Technique
TypeTechnique
External ID—
First seen2026-08-14
Last seen2026-08-14

Confidence

—

Adversaries may use the Windows Component Object Model (COM) for local code execution. COM is an inter-process communication (IPC) component of the native Windows application programming interface (API) that enables interaction between software objects, or executable code that implements one or more interfaces.(Citation: Fireeye Hunting COM June 2019) Through COM, a client object can call methods of server objects, which are typically binary Dynamic Link Libraries (DLL) or executables (EXE).(Citation: Microsoft COM) Remote COM execution is facilitated by [Remote Services](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1021) such as [Distributed Component Object Model](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1021/003) (DCOM).(Citation: Fireeye Hunting COM June 2019) Various COM interfaces are exposed that can be abused to invoke arbitrary execution via a variety of programming languages such as C, C++, Java, and [Visual Basic](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1059/005).(Citation: Microsoft COM) Specific COM objects also exist to directly perform functions beyond code execution, such as creating a [Scheduled Task/Job](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1053), fileless download/execution, and other adversary behaviors related to privilege escalation and persistence.(Citation: Fireeye Hunting COM June 2019)(Citation: ProjectZero File Write EoP Apr 2018)

25 recorded

Relationships

mitigates
from Application Isolation and Sandboxing
Mitigation
mitigates
from Privileged Account Management
Mitigation
subtechnique-of
to Inter-Process Communication
Technique
uses
from Bumblebee
Malware
uses
from CLAIMLOADER
Malware
uses
from DarkTortilla
Malware
uses
from FunnyDream
Malware
uses
from Gamaredon Group
Group
uses
from Gelsemium
Malware
uses
from HermeticWizard
Malware
uses
from InvisiMole
Malware
uses
from Kimsuky
Group
uses
from Latrodectus
Malware
uses
from Medusa Group
Group
uses
from Milan
Malware
uses
from MuddyWater
Group
uses
from Neoichor
Malware
uses
from POWERSTATS
Malware
uses
from Ramsay
Malware
uses
from Raspberry Robin
Malware
uses
from RustyWater
Malware
uses
from SILENTTRINITY
Tool
uses
from STATICPLUGIN
Malware
uses
from TrickBot
Malware
uses
from Ursnif
Malware
6 external

References

mitre-attack
T1559.001
open
ProjectZero File Write EoP Apr 2018
https://googleprojectzero.blogspot.com/2018/04/windows-exploitation-tricks-exploiting.html
open
Fireeye Hunting COM June 2019
https://www.fireeye.com/blog/threat-research/2019/06/hunting-com-objects.html
open
Microsoft COM
https://msdn.microsoft.com/library/windows/desktop/ms680573.aspx
open
Enigma MMC20 COM Jan 2017
https://enigma0x3.net/2017/01/05/lateral-movement-using-the-mmc20-application-com-object/
open
Enigma Outlook DCOM Lateral Movement Nov 2017
https://enigma0x3.net/2017/11/16/lateral-movement-using-outlooks-createobject-method-and-dotnettojscript/
open
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