Applied Cybernetics Group
T1564.003 Hidden Window
- Technique
T1564.003- Tactics
- Defense Evasion
- Research, 90 days
- 7
- KEV CVEs mapped
- 0
- SigmaHQ rules
- 8
- Elastic, Splunk
- 3
- thrunt rules
- 0
- Upstream
- https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1564/003
MITRE description
Adversaries may use hidden windows to conceal malicious activity from the plain sight of users. In some cases, windows that would typically be displayed when an application carries out an operation can be hidden. This may be utilized by system administrators to avoid disrupting user work environments when carrying out administrative tasks. Adversaries may abuse these functionalities to hide otherwise visible windows from users so as not to alert the user to adversary activity on the system.(Citation: Antiquated Mac Malware) On macOS, the configurations for how applications run are listed in property list (plist) files. One of the tags in these files can be <code>apple.awt.UIElement</code>, which allows for Java applications to prevent the application's icon from appearing in the Dock. A common use for this is when applications run in the system tray, but don't also want to show up in the Dock. Similarly, on Windows there are a variety of features in scripting languages, such as [PowerShell](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1059/001), Jscript, and [Visual Basic](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1059/005) to make windows hidden. One example of this is <code>powershell.exe -WindowStyle Hidden</code>.(Citation: PowerShell About 2019) The Windows Registry can also be edited to hide application windows from the current user. For example, by setting the `WindowPosition` subkey in the `HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Console\%SystemRoot%_System32_WindowsPowerShell_v1.0_PowerShell.exe` Registry key to a maximum value, PowerShell windows will open off screen and be hidden.(Citation: Cantoris Computing) In addition, Windows supports the `CreateDesktop()` API that can create a hidden desktop window with its own corresponding <code>explorer.exe</code> process.(Citation: Hidden VNC)(Citation: Anatomy of an hVNC Attack) All applications running on the hidden desktop window, such as a hidden VNC (hVNC) session,(Citation: Hidden VNC) will be invisible to other desktops windows. Adversaries may also leverage cmd.exe(Citation: Cybereason - Hidden Malicious Remote Access) as a parent process, and then utilize a LOLBin, such as DeviceCredentialDeployment.exe,(Citation: LOLBAS Project GitHub Device Cred Dep)(Citation: SecureList BlueNoroff Device Cred Dev) to hide windows.
Research citing this technique
Reports and advisories from the last 90 days that cite this technique.
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2026-11-03Microsoft Threat Intelligence: Fake-download campaign uses trojanized installers to deliver monetization payloads -
2026-10-30Darktrace: CikaBika Bot: Inside a Discord RAT Campaign -
2026-10-22Group-IB: Inside SiriusQT: A Seriously Skilled RAT -
2026-10-14Group-IB: KGB RAT: A Fully Undetectable Windows Trojan Built to Spy, Steal, and Terrorize -
2026-10-06Flare: CrocoRat Adds a New Twist to ClickFix with DNS Payload Delivery -
2026-10-02Group-IB: Anatomía de BraZetsu: Cómo los cibercriminales abastecen el ecosistema clandestino -
2026-08-31Group-IB: Anatomy of BraZetsu: How Cybercriminals Fuel the Underground Ecosystem
Detection coverage
SigmaHQ community rules
- Suspicious PowerShell WindowStyle Option (core)
- Potential Data Stealing Via Chromium Headless Debugging (core)
- Browser Execution In Headless Mode (core)
- File Download with Headless Browser (core)
- Cmd Launched with Hidden Start Flags to Suspicious Targets (core)
- Powershell Executed From Headless ConHost Process (core)
- HackTool - Covenant PowerShell Launcher (core)
- PUA - AdvancedRun Execution (core)
Elastic and Splunk rules
- Headless Browser Mockbin or Mocky Request (splunk)
- Headless Browser Usage (splunk)
- Windows ConHost with Headless Argument (splunk)