ServiceUI.exe

[BLUF: The video demonstrates how penetration testers can leverage a legitimate Microsoft-signed binary, serviceUI.exe, to achieve system-level privileges and execute payloads without triggering traditional detection rules, with an optional automation script to elevate to trusted installer rights.]2:00

Key Takeaways:
• serviceUI.exe is a legitimate Microsoft-signed binary from the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit that can execute programs interactively in a target session when run with local admin privileges 2:45.
• Running serviceUI.exe with a path like C:\Windows\notepad.exe launches a process under the system context, evading signature-based detection and creating a stealthy execution chain 4:30.
• The technique can be automated via PowerShell to spawn a command prompt with full system privileges, including all SE privileges like SeDebugPrivilege, enabling deeper access 14:50.
• A PowerShell script wraps ntobjectmanager.dll in base64, loads it at runtime, and creates a password-protected shell with trusted installer rights—usable in post-exploitation workflows 16:50.

[This method allows testers to bypass detection rules and gain elevated privileges using only trusted, legitimate binaries, making it a powerful tool in the "living off the land" arsenal.]

Sources:

• 2:00 Introduction to serviceUI.exe and its origin in a secureyouit.co.uk blog post by Richard Davyy.
• 2:45 Demonstration of serviceUI.exe executing a program with interactive session access.
• 4:30 Process chain analysis showing legitimate Microsof