huntrule

Malicious Registry Run Key Persistence Masquerading as MicrosoftUpdate

PremiumReviewedSigma · High · v1
Category
registry_set
Author
HuntRule
Published
2026-09-15
Updated
2026-09-15
AnalysisDetection

ATT&CK techniques

Initial Access → Priv Esc

  1. Recon

  2. Resource Dev

  3. Initial Access

  4. Execution

  5. Persistence

  6. Priv Esc

  7. Defense Evasion

  8. Cred Access

  9. Discovery

  10. Lateral Movement

  11. Collection

  12. C2

  13. Exfiltration

  14. Impact

What it detects

This rule detects creation of a HKCU Run value named MicrosoftUpdate, a masquerading persistence name planted by the compromised axios npm package RAT. The malware writes this autorun entry to relaunch a dropped script at logon while posing as a legitimate Microsoft component. A user-hive Run key using this Microsoft-lookalike name is a strong persistence indicator for this supply chain RAT.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1547.001 — drag to rearrange
Malicious axios NPM Supply Chain Persistence via MicrosoftUpdate Run Key
Suspicious SystemBC Persistence via Run Key to ProgramData Script
Suspicious Interlock RAT Persistence via HKCU Run Key Registration to AppData Payload (via process_creation)
Suspicious SOCKS Proxy Persistence via SystemBC PowerShell Run Key
Suspicious Run Key Persistence Referencing PowerShell Script via registry_set
Malicious Startup Persistence via WindowsDefenderSync Shortcut (via file_event)
Malicious PXA Stealer Persistence via Windows Update Service Run Key (via registry_set)
Suspicious NetSupport client32 Persistence via Run Key from ProgramData
Suspicious Run Key Persistence Named NvidiaDriverUpdate (via registry_set)
Malicious Registry Run Key Persistence Masquerading as MicrosoftUpdate
Pivot detection · T1547.001 · 9 related

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