Suspicious Application Shim Database Registration via Registry Set

ATT&CK techniques

Persistence → Defense Evasion

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
- T1112Modify Registry
- T1546.011Application Shimming
Priv Esc
- T1546.011Application Shimming
Defense Evasion
- T1112Modify Registry
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects registration of a custom application shim database under the AppCompatFlags Custom and InstalledSDB registry keys, the persistence and injection technique detailed in the SHIM Me What You Got research abusing sysmain.sdb. Adversaries install malicious shims to inject code and persist, so unexpected SDB registrations warrant review.

Reporting behind it

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Suspicious Application Shim Database Registration via Registry Set

Pivot detection · T1112 · 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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