: HTML Application and Link File Analysis
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HTML Application and Link File Analysis

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HTML Application and Link File Analysis

To enable forwarding of HTA/LNK files from the firewall, be sure to download and install the latest PAN-OS content release. PAN-OS Applications and Threats content release 8229 allows firewalls operating PAN-OS 8.1 and later to forward HTA and LNK files to the WildFire cloud for analysis. For more information about the update, refer to the Applications and Threat Content Release Notes.
To download the release notes, log in to the Palo Alto Networks Support Portal, click Dynamic Updates and select the release notes listed under Apps + Threats.
WildFire now supports HTML application and link file analysis in the WildFire cloud, which enables the WildFire public cloud to analyze and classify .HTA and .LNK files with verdicts using static and dynamic analysis. When a malicious file is discovered, the WildFire cloud generates and distributes protections to firewalls to prevent successful attacks. To ensure that you are protected from the latest threats, always keep your firewalls up-to-date with the latest content and software updates from Palo Alto Networks.
  • The WildFire appliance does not support HTA/LNK file analysis at this time.
  • Only firewalls operating PAN-OS 8.1 and later can forward scripts to the WildFire public cloud.
To forward HTA or LNK files for analysis, the WildFire Analysis Profile on the firewall must be configured to forward the script (.HTA) or pe (.LNK) file types. Select any Any to forward all supported unknown files to the WildFire public cloud.
  1. Enable file type forwarding.
    1. Select Objects > Security Profiles > WildFire Analysis and Add or modify a profile to define traffic to forward for WildFire analysis.
    2. Add or modify a profile rule, select file type, and set the rule to forward Any file type. Alternatively, you can also specify script (for .HTA files) or pe (for .LNK files) if you want to forward a specific file type.
      Profile rules with the file type set to Any forward all supported file types for WildFire analysis.
    3. Select Destination and set the profile rule to forward the files to the public-cloud.
    4. Click OK to save the new or modified WildFire Analysis profile.
  2. Attach the WildFire Analysis profile to a security policy rule—traffic matched to the policy rule is forwarded for WildFire Analysis.
    1. Select Policies > Security and Add or modify a security policy rule.
    2. Select Actions and set the Profile Type to Profiles.
    3. Select the newly-created WildFire Analysis profile.
    4. Click OK to save the security policy rule.
      For detailed steps to configure a WildFire Analysis profile and to attach the profile to a security policy rule, see Forward Files for WildFire Analysis.
  3. Select Monitor > WildFire Submissions to find WildFire verdicts and analysis reports for script files that have been submitted by the firewall.
Submit script files directly to the WildFire public cloud for analysis from the WildFire portal as well as the WildFire API:
  1. Manually submit script files to the WildFire public cloud for analysis. You can then view the WildFire sample analysis report and verdict (malicious, grayware or benign) on the WildFire portal.
  2. Use the WildFire API to submit files to the WildFire public cloud. You can use the WildFire API to retrieve verdicts and analysis reports for the files. You can also specify script as the target analysis environment when you retrieve a packet capture through the WildFire API.