Malicious Accessibility Feature Backdoor via Image File Execution Options Debugger (via registry_set)

ATT&CK techniques

Persistence → Priv Esc

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
- T1546.008Accessibility Features
Priv Esc
- T1546.008Accessibility Features
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects a Debugger value being set on an accessibility binary (sethc.exe, utilman.exe, osk.exe, magnify.exe, narrator.exe or displayswitch.exe) under Image File Execution Options, which lets an attacker launch a command shell from the logon screen without credentials. This accessibility-feature hijack is a persistence and privilege-escalation technique tracked in the Red Canary Threat Detection Report. Detecting the registry modification catches the backdoor before it is triggered at the lock screen.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1546.008 — drag to rearrange

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Malicious Accessibility Feature Debugger Hijack via IFEO (via registry_set)

Windows Privilege Escalation via mklink Symlink Between cmd.exe and osk.exe

Windows Process Creation: Suspicious secedit.exe Security Policy Export or Configuration

Malicious Accessibility Feature Backdoor via Image File Execution Options Debugger (via registry_set)

Pivot detection · T1546.008 · 9 related

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

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