Elastic Security Detection Rules

Persistence via Hidden Run Key Detected

Last updated 5 months ago on 2025-03-20
Created 5 years ago on 2020-11-15

About

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).
Tags
Domain: EndpointOS: WindowsUse Case: Threat DetectionTactic: PersistenceTactic: Defense EvasionTactic: ExecutionData Source: Elastic EndgameData Source: Elastic DefendData Source: SysmonLanguage: eql
Severity
high
Risk Score
73
MITRE ATT&CK™

Persistence (TA0003)(opens in a new tab or window)

↳ Boot or Logon Autostart Execution (T1547)(opens in a new tab or window)

Execution (TA0002)(opens in a new tab or window)

↳ Native API (T1106)(opens in a new tab or window)

Defense Evasion (TA0005)(opens in a new tab or window)

↳ Modify Registry (T1112)(opens in a new tab or window)

License
Elastic License v2(opens in a new tab or window)

Definition

Rule Type
Event Correlation Rule
Integration Pack
Prebuilt Security Detection Rules
Index Patterns
logs-endpoint.events.registry-*winlogbeat-*logs-windows.sysmon_operational-*endgame-*
Related Integrations

endpoint(opens in a new tab or window)

windows(opens in a new tab or window)

Query
/* Registry Path ends with backslash */
registry where host.os.type == "windows" and event.type == "change" and 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\\",
                  "\\REGISTRY\\MACHINE\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Policies\\Explorer\\Run\\",
                  "\\REGISTRY\\USER\\*\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Run\\",
                  "\\REGISTRY\\MACHINE\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Run\\",
                  "\\REGISTRY\\MACHINE\\Software\\WOW6432Node\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Run\\",
                  "\\REGISTRY\\USER\\*\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Policies\\Explorer\\Run\\",
                  "\\REGISTRY\\MACHINE\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Policies\\Explorer\\Run\\")

Install detection rules in Elastic Security

Detect Persistence via Hidden Run Key Detected in the Elastic Security detection engine by installing this rule into your Elastic Stack.

To setup this rule, check out the installation guide for Prebuilt Security Detection Rules(opens in a new tab or window).