Run external application

[SNVC 0]

I created a little bat file.

Then converted it to an exe.

I scheduled eset to run the exe and I get nothing.  It gives me a last run date and time but nothing happens.

 

I double click the exe and it runs fine. 

 

Any ideas

[Arakasi 549]

This may answer the question to why sometimes a scheduled scan does not run.

I have seen multiple inquires regarding why the scheduled on-demand scan didn't run.

[Marcos 5,070]

Scheduled tasks run applications in the system account, couldn't this be what causes the issue? If you schedule a task to run the calculator (calc.exe) for instance, does that work?

[rugk 397]

It would also good if you could upload the bat and/or exe-file, so we can test it.

If it contains sensitive data then delete it before or make a test-batch file without this data.

[Arakasi 549]

It would also good if you could upload the bat and/or exe-file, so we can test it.

If it contains sensitive data then delete it before or make a test-batch file without this data.

 

Well we could make our own batch file to test this theory, wouldn't need his.

[rugk 397]

 

It would also good if you could upload the bat and/or exe-file, so we can test it.

If it contains sensitive data then delete it before or make a test-batch file without this data.

 

Well we could make our own batch file to test this theory, wouldn't need his.

 

 

Yes, I'm currently testing it.

[rugk 397]

So this are my test results:

 

1. Calc.exe started by the schedule

Screenshot(s):

If I click on "View the message" then it shows the real calculator:

 

Processes:

Here you can see that the real calc.exe runs with system privileges.

 

If I click on "Ask me later" then the process which was showing the "error message" exits:

So I have to terminate the calc.exe and the UI0Detect.exe to exit all processes, but that's natural, because I don't close calc.exe.

 

If I close calc.exe then it shows:

and it closes calc.exe. Only the UI0Detect.exe (under user "system") is still running.

 

2. Calc.exe started by the schedule manually

 

Screenshot:

 

Processes:

Then it is simply running under the current user (but it's elevated):

 

3. Batch file started by the schedule

 

Screenshot(s):

 

Processes:

 

This was quite the same like with the calc.exe. Exept of the fact that conhost.exe starts every time with the batch but this is normal.

A stranger fact is that there is displayed a wrong username (%username% in batch file). More at 4.

 

3. Batch file started by the schedule manually

 

Screenshot(s):

 

This was also quite similar. And although the "real" username (in it was executed) was the local user (elevated) %username% expands to Win7$. I have to say that the real username would be "Admin" and the computer name was "Win7".

 

I also test it with a batch file putted into an exe, but this changes nothing.

Now I only uploaded pictures of the following test, because in all other test are similar to the test before.

 

4. Batch file that wasn't waiting by the schedule

 

No I tried to run a batch file that did not wait for the user - it only wait a few seconds.

And the result was quite the same.

 

I only have to say that every time I saw the "error message" it was minimized and it blinks.

 

 

Summary

 

No error occurred during my tests, all files started properly. There is one strange fact: The username that is every time wrong.

And there are differences between manually and automatic starting with the scheduler.

 

So for you @: Maybe your script runs very quick and so you can't see the normal windows message. I also only tested in with Windows 7. Maybe on other Windows versions there are differences.

 

And again to @all: I uploaded the batch script* which I used and here you can download a Batch To Exe Converter. (there is also an online version available)

 

* virustotal analyse here

Edited July 12, 2014 by rugk

[Marcos 5,070]

No error occurred during my tests, all files started properly. There is one strange fact: The username that is every time wrong.

 

This is how Windows expands the %username% variable in the local system account. Instead of %username%, run "whoami" and the result will be "nt authority/system".

[rugk 397]

Yes "whoami" returns the right username.