Persistence via Hidden Run Key Detected

Elastic Stack Serverless Security

Identifies a persistence mechanism that utilizes the NtSetValueKey native API to create a hidden (null terminated) registry key. An adversary may use this method to hide from system utilities such as the Registry Editor (regedit).

Rule type: eql

Rule indices:

• logs-endpoint.events.*
• winlogbeat-*
• logs-windows.*

Severity: high

Risk score: 73

Runs every: 5m

Searches indices from: now-9m (https://www.elastic.co/guide/en/elasticsearch/reference/current/common-options.html#date-math[Date Math format], see also Additional look-back time)

Maximum alerts per execution: 100

References:

• https://github.com/outflanknl/SharpHide
• https://github.com/ewhitehats/InvisiblePersistence/blob/master/InvisibleRegValues_Whitepaper.pdf

Tags:

• Elastic
• Host
• Windows
• Threat Detection
• Persistence

Version: 101

Rule authors:

• Elastic

Rule license: Elastic License v2

/* Registry Path ends with backslash */
registry where /* length(registry.data.strings) > 0 and */
 registry.path : ("HKEY_USERS\\*\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Run\\",
                  "HKU\\*\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Run\\",
                  "HKLM\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Run\\",
                  "HKLM\\Software\\WOW6432Node\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Run\\",
                  "HKEY_USERS\\*\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Policies\\Explorer\\Run\\",
                  "HKU\\*\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Policies\\Explorer\\Run\\",
                  "HKLM\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Policies\\Explorer\\Run\\")

Framework: MITRE ATT&CKTM

• Tactic:

  • Name: Persistence
  • ID: TA0003
  • Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0003/

• Technique:

  • Name: Boot or Logon Autostart Execution
  • ID: T1547
  • Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1547/

• Sub-technique:

  • Name: Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder
  • ID: T1547.001
  • Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1547/001/