An uncommon file added to startup-related Registry keys

Cortex XDR Analytics Alert Reference by Alert name

Product

Cortex XDR

Last date published

2024-12-03

Synopsis

Activation Period	14 Days
Training Period	30 Days
Test Period	N/A (single event)
Deduplication Period	1 Day
Required Data	Requires: XDR Agent with eXtended Threat Hunting (XTH)
Detection Modules
Detector Tags
ATT&CK Tactic	Persistence (TA0003)
ATT&CK Technique	Boot or Logon Autostart Execution (T1547)
Severity	Informational

Description

An attacker may add a file to the Registry "Run Keys" or the "Winlogon\Userinit" key to cause it to be executed as the user logs in.

Attacker's Goals

Gain persistence using the legitimate Windows registry run key mechanism, which executes files or scripts on user login or computer boot.

Investigative actions

Verify if the registered file is malicious.
Check if the installing software is a malicious binary or script.

Variations

An uncommon file added to startup-related Registry keys by an unsigned and unpopular CGO process

Synopsis

ATT&CK Tactic	Persistence (TA0003)
ATT&CK Technique	Boot or Logon Autostart Execution (T1547)
Severity	Low

Description

An attacker may add a file to the Registry "Run Keys" or the "Winlogon\Userinit" key to cause it to be executed as the user logs in.

Attacker's Goals

Gain persistence using the legitimate Windows registry run key mechanism, which executes files or scripts on user login or computer boot.

Investigative actions

Verify if the registered file is malicious.
Check if the installing software is a malicious binary or script.

An uncommon script added to startup-related Registry keys

Synopsis

ATT&CK Tactic	Persistence (TA0003)
ATT&CK Technique	Boot or Logon Autostart Execution (T1547)
Severity	Low

Description

An attacker may add a script to the Registry "Run Keys" or the "Winlogon\Userinit" key to cause it to be executed as the user logs in.

Attacker's Goals

Gain persistence using the legitimate Windows registry run key mechanism, which executes files or scripts on user login or computer boot.

Investigative actions

Verify if the registered file is malicious.
Check if the installing software is a malicious binary or script.

An uncommon file added to startup-related Registry keys by a commonly known and signed application

Synopsis

ATT&CK Tactic	Persistence (TA0003)
ATT&CK Technique	Boot or Logon Autostart Execution (T1547)
Severity	Low

Description

An attacker may add a file to the Registry "Run Keys" or the "Winlogon\Userinit" key to cause it to be executed as the user logs in.

Attacker's Goals

Gain persistence using the legitimate Windows registry run key mechanism, which executes files or scripts on user login or computer boot.

Investigative actions

Verify if the registered file is malicious.
Check if the installing software is a malicious binary or script.

An uncommon LOLBIN added to startup-related Registry keys

Synopsis

ATT&CK Tactic	Persistence (TA0003)
ATT&CK Technique	Boot or Logon Autostart Execution (T1547)
Severity	Low

Description

An attacker may add a LOLBIN to the Registry "Run Keys" or the "Winlogon\Userinit" key to cause it to be executed as the user logs in.

Attacker's Goals

Gain persistence using the legitimate Windows registry run key mechanism, which executes files or scripts on user login or computer boot.

Investigative actions

Verify if the registered file is malicious.
Check if the installing software is a malicious binary or script.