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Check Browsers LNK — Identify and Remove Malicious Shortcuts

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Check Browsers LNK — Identify and Remove Malicious Shortcuts

Shortcuts with the .lnk extension (Windows Link files) are convenient, but attackers can craft malicious .lnk files that launch malware, run scripts, or point to remote resources. This guide explains how to identify suspicious .lnk shortcuts related to browsers and remove or remediate them safely.

How malicious .lnk files work

  • Redirect execution: A .lnk can point to a program or script that launches a browser with a malicious URL or executes a payload.
  • Use arguments: Attackers add command-line arguments to launch browsers with parameters that exploit vulnerabilities or load remote content.
  • Abuse file icons/metadata: A malicious .lnk can masquerade as a familiar site or application using custom icons and deceptive names.
  • Persistence & lateral movement: Shortcuts placed in Startup folders, scheduled tasks, or shared drives can persist or spread.

Where to look for suspicious browser-related .lnk files

  • Desktop and Downloads folders
  • Start Menu and Taskbar pinned items
  • Startup folders:
    • %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
    • %PROGRAMDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
  • Scheduled Tasks that call shortcut targets
  • Shared network folders, USB drives, or removable media
  • User profiles and Temp directories

Signs a shortcut might be malicious

  • Unfamiliar or misspelled names (e.g., “Google Chorme.lnk”)
  • Targets that are not the browser executable (e.g., cmd.exe, powershell.exe, rundll32.exe)
  • Targets that include long or obfuscated command-line arguments
  • Targets pointing to remote UNC paths (\server\share) or URLs
  • Shortcuts placed unexpectedly in Startup or system folders
  • Recent unexplained changes to browser behavior, new tabs, or redirects

How to inspect a .lnk safely

  1. Do not double-click the file. That may execute it.
  2. View shortcut properties: Right-click → Properties → Shortcut tab. Check the Target and Start in fields.
  3. Inspect with PowerShell (safe):
    • Open PowerShell (non-admin) and run: 
      

      

      

      Code
      

      

      

      

      \(ws = New-Object -ComObject WScript.Shell </span>\)lnk = \(ws.CreateShortcut('C:\path\to\shortcut.lnk') \)lnk.TargetPath \(lnk.Arguments \)lnk.WorkingDirectory \(lnk.Description </code></div></div></pre> </li> <li>This reads properties without executing the target.</li> </ul> </li> <li><strong>Use a reputable LNK parser:</strong> Tools like LNK-Parse (open-source) or specialized forensic utilities can reveal embedded metadata and link targets safely.</li> <li><strong>Hash and analyze remotely:</strong> If uncertain, compute a hash (SHA256) and check it against virus scanners (VirusTotal) or submit the file for analysis — only after ensuring upload follows your organization’s policies.</li> </ol> <h3>Quick checks for browser-targeted shortcuts</h3> <ul> <li>Expected targets: <ul> <li>Chrome: C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe</li> <li>Edge: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Edge\Application\msedge.exe</li> <li>Firefox: C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe</li> </ul> </li> <li>If TargetPath is not a browser executable, or the Arguments field includes suspicious URLs, scripts, or executables, treat it as malicious.</li> </ul> <h3>Removing or remediating malicious .lnk files</h3> <ol> <li><strong>Isolate the system:</strong> If you suspect active compromise, disconnect from networks before remediation.</li> <li><strong>Delete the .lnk file:</strong> Use File Explorer or PowerShell: <pre><div class="XG2rBS5V967VhGTCEN1k"><div class="nHykNMmtaaTJMjgzStID"><div class="HsT0RHFbNELC00WicOi8"><i><svg width="16" height="16" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path fill="currentColor" fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M15.434 7.51c.137.137.212.311.212.49a.694.694 0 0 1-.212.5l-3.54 3.5a.893.893 0 0 1-.277.18 1.024 1.024 0 0 1-.684.038.945.945 0 0 1-.302-.148.787.787 0 0 1-.213-.234.652.652 0 0 1-.045-.58.74.74 0 0 1 .175-.256l3.045-3-3.045-3a.69.69 0 0 1-.22-.55.723.723 0 0 1 .303-.52 1 1 0 0 1 .648-.186.962.962 0 0 1 .614.256l3.541 3.51Zm-12.281 0A.695.695 0 0 0 2.94 8a.694.694 0 0 0 .213.5l3.54 3.5a.893.893 0 0 0 .277.18 1.024 1.024 0 0 0 .684.038.945.945 0 0 0 .302-.148.788.788 0 0 0 .213-.234.651.651 0 0 0 .045-.58.74.74 0 0 0-.175-.256L4.994 8l3.045-3a.69.69 0 0 0 .22-.55.723.723 0 0 0-.303-.52 1 1 0 0 0-.648-.186.962.962 0 0 0-.615.256l-3.54 3.51Z"></path></svg></i><p class="li3asHIMe05JPmtJCytG wZ4JdaHxSAhGy1HoNVja cPy9QU4brI7VQXFNPEvF">Code</p></div><div class="CF2lgtGWtYUYmTULoX44"><button type="button" class="st68fcLUUT0dNcuLLB2_ ffON2NH02oMAcqyoh2UU MQCbz04ET5EljRmK3YpQ CPXAhl7VTkj2dHDyAYAf" data-copycode="true" role="button" aria-label="Copy Code"><svg viewBox="0 0 16 16" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path fill="currentColor" fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M9.975 1h.09a3.2 3.2 0 0 1 3.202 3.201v1.924a.754.754 0 0 1-.017.16l1.23 1.353A2 2 0 0 1 15 8.983V14a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8a2 2 0 0 1-1.733-1H4.183a3.201 3.201 0 0 1-3.2-3.201V4.201a3.2 3.2 0 0 1 3.04-3.197A1.25 1.25 0 0 1 5.25 0h3.5c.604 0 1.109.43 1.225 1ZM4.249 2.5h-.066a1.7 1.7 0 0 0-1.7 1.701v7.598c0 .94.761 1.701 1.7 1.701H6V7a2 2 0 0 1 2-2h3.197c.195 0 .387.028.57.083v-.882A1.7 1.7 0 0 0 10.066 2.5H9.75c-.228.304-.591.5-1 .5h-3.5c-.41 0-.772-.196-1-.5ZM5 1.75v-.5A.25.25 0 0 1 5.25 1h3.5a.25.25 0 0 1 .25.25v.5a.25.25 0 0 1-.25.25h-3.5A.25.25 0 0 1 5 1.75ZM7.5 7a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h3V9a1 1 0 0 0 1 1h1.5v4a.5.5 0 0 1-.5.5H8a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V7Zm6 2v-.017a.5.5 0 0 0-.13-.336L12 7.14V9h1.5Z"></path></svg>Copy Code</button><button type="button" class="st68fcLUUT0dNcuLLB2_ WtfzoAXPoZC2mMqcexgL ffON2NH02oMAcqyoh2UU MQCbz04ET5EljRmK3YpQ GnLX_jUB3Jn3idluie7R"><svg fill="none" viewBox="0 0 24 24" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path fill="currentColor" fill-rule="evenodd" d="M20.618 4.214a1 1 0 0 1 .168 1.404l-11 14a1 1 0 0 1-1.554.022l-5-6a1 1 0 0 1 1.536-1.28l4.21 5.05L19.213 4.382a1 1 0 0 1 1.404-.168Z" clip-rule="evenodd"></path></svg>Copied</button></div></div><div class="mtDfw7oSa1WexjXyzs9y" style="color: var(--sds-color-text-01); font-family: var(--sds-font-family-monospace); direction: ltr; text-align: left; white-space: pre; word-spacing: normal; word-break: normal; font-size: var(--sds-font-size-label); line-height: 1.2em; tab-size: 4; hyphens: none; padding: var(--sds-space-x02, 8px) var(--sds-space-x04, 16px) var(--sds-space-x04, 16px); margin: 0px; overflow: auto; border: none; background: transparent;"><code class="language-text" style="color: rgb(57, 58, 52); font-family: Consolas, "Bitstream Vera Sans Mono", "Courier New", Courier, monospace; direction: ltr; text-align: left; white-space: pre; word-spacing: normal; word-break: normal; font-size: 0.9em; line-height: 1.2em; tab-size: 4; hyphens: none;"><span>Remove-Item 'C:\path\to\shortcut.lnk' </span></code></div></div></pre> </li> <li><strong>Check persistence points:</strong> Remove copies from Startup folders, scheduled tasks, Run registry keys, and Task Scheduler actions.</li> <li><strong>Scan with updated AV/EDR:</strong> Run a full system scan with updated signatures and an endpoint detection tool.</li> <li><strong>Restore browser shortcuts safely:</strong> Recreate pinned/start menu shortcuts by launching the browser exe directly and re-pinning. Do not use recovered .lnk files whose origin is unknown.</li> <li><strong>Change credentials & monitor:</strong> If the shortcut likely delivered credential-stealing malware, change passwords from a known-clean device and monitor accounts.</li> <li><strong>Collect forensic artifacts (optional):</strong> If needed for incident response, preserve copies of suspect .lnk files, event logs, and timestamps before deletion.</li> </ol> <h3>Prevention best practices</h3> <ul> <li>Only download shortcuts from trusted sources.</li> <li>Block execution of scripts from user-writable locations using AppLocker/Windows Defender Application Control.</li> <li>Use least-privilege accounts; avoid admin for daily use.</li> <li>Keep OS and browsers updated; enable exploit mitigations.</li> <li>Educate users to avoid double-clicking unknown shortcuts and to report unexpected behavior.</li> </ul> <h3>Example: PowerShell check for multiple .lnk files</h3> <p>Run this PowerShell snippet to list .lnk files in common locations and show targets and arguments: ``` \)paths = @(”\(env:USERPROFILE\Desktop","\)
      

      
		
		
      
			
		
      
		
		
		

      
	
	
	

      


		

      
	
	
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