Malicious Startup Persistence via WindowsDefenderSync Shortcut (via file_event)

ATT&CK techniques

Persistence → Defense Evasion

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
- T1547.001Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder
Priv Esc
- T1547.001Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder
Defense Evasion
- T1036Masquerading
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects a shortcut named WindowsDefenderSync.lnk being written into a Windows Startup folder, the auto-run persistence dropped by Operation ShadowRecruit to launch its payload at every user logon. The Defender-themed shortcut name masquerades as a security component while ensuring the ControlR RAT survives reboots, so catching the Startup write reveals the persistence installation.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1547.001 — drag to rearrange

Suspicious Autorun Persistence Masquerading as Windows Security

Suspicious Run Key Persistence Referencing PowerShell Script via registry_set

Malicious Scheduled Task Masquerading as Windows Defender Sync via schtasks (via process_creation)

Malicious PXA Stealer Persistence via Windows Update Service Run Key (via registry_set)

Malicious PXA Stealer Archive Extraction via Renamed WinRAR images.png (via process_creation)

Malicious NimDoor Loader Persistence via Masqueraded Google Updater (via file_event)

Suspicious NetSupport client32 Persistence via Run Key from ProgramData

Suspicious Run Key Persistence Named NvidiaDriverUpdate (via registry_set)

Suspicious HTA File Dropped into Startup Folder

Malicious Startup Persistence via WindowsDefenderSync Shortcut (via file_event)

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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