StealC Persistence via LNK Dropped to Startup Folder by Non-Shell Process (via file_event)

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 a shortcut in the user Startup folder by a process other than the Windows shell or Office click-to-run, the persistence behavior used by the StealC V2 Blender campaign to auto-run its LNK payloads at logon. Adversaries leverage Startup-folder shortcuts for simple logon persistence, making early detection critical for surfacing the foothold before the stealer runs on every session.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1547.001 — drag to rearrange

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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 Registry Run Key Persistence via AHealthDB by Stately Taurus

StealC Persistence via LNK Dropped to Startup Folder by Non-Shell Process (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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