Shortcut File Written or Modified on Startup Folder

Identifies shortcut files written to or modified in the startup folder. Adversaries may use this technique to maintain persistence.

Rule type: eql

Rule indices:

logs-endpoint.events.file-*

Severity: low

Risk score: 21

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: None

Tags:

Domain: Endpoint
OS: Windows
Use Case: Threat Detection
Tactic: Persistence
Data Source: Elastic Defend
Rule Type: BBR

Version: 2

Rule authors:

Elastic

Rule license: Elastic License v2

Rule query

		file where host.os.type == "windows" and event.type != "deletion" and file.extension == "lnk" and
  file.path : (
    "C:\\Users\\*\\AppData\\Roaming\\Microsoft\\Windows\\Start Menu\\Programs\\Startup\\*",
    "C:\\ProgramData\\Microsoft\\Windows\\Start Menu\\Programs\\StartUp\\*"
  ) and
  not (
    (process.name : "ONENOTE.EXE" and process.code_signature.status: "trusted" and file.name : "*OneNote.lnk") or
    (process.name : "OktaVerifySetup.exe" and process.code_signature.status: "trusted" and file.name : "Okta Verify.lnk") or
    (process.name : "OneLaunch.exe" and process.code_signature.status: "trusted" and file.name : "OneLaunch*.lnk") or
    (process.name : "APPServerClient.exe" and process.code_signature.status: "trusted" and file.name : "Parallels Client.lnk")
  )

	

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/
Sub-technique:
- Name: Shortcut Modification
- ID: T1547.009
- Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1547/009/