Malicious FodHelper UAC Bypass via ms-settings Shell Command Hijack (via registry_set)

ATT&CK techniques

Priv Esc → Defense Evasion

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
- T1548.002Bypass User Account Control
Defense Evasion
- T1548.002Bypass User Account Control
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects creation of the HKCU ms-settings shell open command key which the CoralRaider intrusion uses together with FodHelper to bypass User Account Control and run code with elevated privileges. This fileless UAC bypass abuses auto-elevating trusted binaries and is a reliable privilege escalation and defense evasion technique.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1548.002 — drag to rearrange

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Suspicious UAC Bypass via COMAutoApprovalList Registry Modification (via registry_set)

Malicious UAC Bypass via explorer.exe NOUACCHECK Argument

Suspicious UAC Bypass via ms-settings Shell Command Hijack (via registry_set)

Malicious FodHelper UAC Bypass via ms-settings Shell Command Hijack (via registry_set)

Pivot detection · T1548.002 · 9 related

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