Malicious Registry Run Key Persistence Masquerading as MicrosoftUpdate

ATT&CK techniques

Initial Access → Priv Esc

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
- T1195.002Compromise Software Supply Chain
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 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

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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.

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