huntrule

Malicious WannaCry Run Key Persistence to tasksche via registry_set

PremiumReviewedSigma · High · v1
Product
windows
Category
registry_set
Author
HuntRule
Published
2026-07-17
Updated
2026-08-28
AnalysisDetection

ATT&CK techniques

Persistence → 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 the creation of a Run key registry value pointing to the WannaCry payload tasksche.exe, establishing persistence at user logon. The malware writes this value under the CurrentVersion Run key to survive reboots. Presence of a tasksche.exe reference in an autostart location is a high-confidence indicator of WannaCry infection.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1547.001 — drag to rearrange
Malicious Registry Run Key Persistence Using Scarlet Goldfinch OFFICE and DIVXX Values (via registry_set)
Suspicious Internet Shortcut URL File Registered for Run Key Persistence (via registry_set)
Malicious Run Key Persistence Named SystemAgentService
Suspicious Run Key Persistence Pointing to ProgramData Executable (via registry_set)
Suspicious Run Key Persistence Pointing to WScript via PhantomVAI Loader (via registry_set)
Suspicious Run Key Persistence Named Updater
Suspicious Run Key Persistence Executing VBScript as WindowsSecurityCheck
Suspicious RunOnce Persistence Pointing to User AppData
Malicious FalseFont Backdoor Run Key Persistence from AppData (via registry_set)
Malicious WannaCry Run Key Persistence to tasksche via registry_set
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.