Possible Persistence Attempt Through Run Keys Via Reg.EXE (via process_creation)

title: Possible Persistence Attempt Through Run Keys Via Reg.EXE (via process_creation)
id: 3086317d-f918-5d5b-8a44-7e88d2f6e575
status: stable
description: This rule detects anomalous command line reg.exe tool adding key to RUN key in Registry
references:
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1547/001/
    - https://app.any.run/tasks/9c0f37bc-867a-4314-b685-e101566766d7/
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/setupapi/run-and-runonce-registry-keys
    - https://github.com/HackTricks-wiki/hacktricks/blob/e4c7b21b8f36c97c35b7c622732b38a189ce18f7/src/windows-hardening/windows-local-privilege-escalation/privilege-escalation-with-autorun-binaries.md
author: Huntrule Team
date: 2026-03-16
tags:
    - attack.privilege-escalation
    - attack.persistence
    - attack.t1547.001
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        Image|endswith: '\reg.exe'
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - 'reg'
            - ' add '
        CommandLine|contains:
            - 'Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run'
            - '\Software\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run'
            - '\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\Run'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium
regression_tests_path: regression_data/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_reg_add_run_key/info.yml