Malicious Run Key Persistence Masquerading as Windows Update

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 detects creation of an HKCU Run key value named Windows Update Service, a masquerading persistence entry used to autostart the PureRAT loader while appearing as a legitimate update task. This was observed in a Vietnamese threat actor chain. A Run value impersonating Windows Update is a deliberate attempt to hide persistence in plain sight.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1547.001 — drag to rearrange

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Suspicious Run Key Persistence Masquerading as NVIDIA Driver Update

Suspicious Run Key Persistence Executing system.bat via registry_set

Suspicious Run Key Persistence Under Masquerading Service Names

Suspicious Run Key Persistence With Masqueraded System Binary by Millenium RAT (via registry_set)

Suspicious Autostart Persistence via Run Key Pointing Outside Program Files (via registry_set)

Suspicious RunOnce Persistence Relaunching Payload with Safe Mode Flag

Malicious Run Key Persistence Masquerading as Windows Update

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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