Windows Registry Run Key Autorun Entries Targeting Kapeka Backdoor

Flags Windows Run key registry changes whose data matches a Kapeka-style rundll32 .wll (#1) autorun entry.

FreeReviewedSigma · High · v5

Product: windows
Category: registry_set
Author: Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published: 2024-07-03
Updated: 2026-07-31

ATT&CK techniques

Persistence → Priv Esc

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
- T1547.001Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder
Priv Esc
- T1547.001Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule flags creation or modification of Windows registry autorun values under the CurrentVersion\Run location where the value name ends with specific Kapeka-related strings. It matches entries that reference rundll32.exe with a .wll payload and a #1 parameter, consistent with backdoor persistence behavior. The detection relies on Windows registry set telemetry capturing TargetObject and Details fields for the value being written.

Reporting behind it

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Windows Registry Run Key Autorun Entries Targeting Kapeka Backdoor

Pivot detection · T1547.001 · 9 related

Changelog

v5
Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
v4
Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
v3
Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
v2
Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
v1
No changelog recorded for this version.2026-07-30

Detection content is published as a reviewed draft. Tune thresholds and exclusions against your own telemetry before enabling this rule for alerting.

kapeka-backdoor-autorun-registry-persistence-on-windows-run-keys-c0c67b21

title: Windows Registry Run Key Autorun Entries Targeting Kapeka Backdoor
id: b33ac50b-f7a5-4321-8903-c0a6bfccdff6
related:
  - id: 64a871dd-83f6-4e5f-80fc-5a7ca3a8a819
    type: similar
  - id: c0c67b21-eb8a-4c84-a395-40473ec3b482
    type: derived
status: test
description: "This rule flags creation or modification of Windows registry autorun values under the CurrentVersion\\Run location where the value name ends with specific Kapeka-related strings. It matches entries that reference rundll32.exe with a .wll payload and a #1 parameter, consistent with backdoor persistence behavior. The detection relies on Windows registry set telemetry capturing TargetObject and Details fields for the value being written."
references:
  - https://labs.withsecure.com/publications/kapeka
  - https://app.any.run/tasks/1efb3ed4-cc0f-4690-a0ed-24516809bc72/
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules-emerging-threats/2024/Malware/kapeka/registry_set_malware_kapeka_backdoor_autorun_persistence.yml
author: Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel, Huntrule Team
date: 2024-07-03
tags:
  - attack.privilege-escalation
  - attack.persistence
  - attack.t1547.001
  - detection.emerging-threats
logsource:
  category: registry_set
  product: windows
detection:
  selection:
    TargetObject|contains: \SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    TargetObject|endswith:
      - \Sens Api
      - \OneDrive
    Details|contains|all:
      - :\WINDOWS\system32\rundll32.exe
      - .wll
      - "#1"
  condition: selection
falsepositives:
  - Unknown
level: high
license: DRL-1.1

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