Suspicious Periodic Backup For System Registry Hives Enabled (via registry_set)

title: Suspicious Periodic Backup For System Registry Hives Enabled (via registry_set)
id: 4a8b238e-bbf9-57ac-9dce-f241e664d267
status: stable
description: This rule detects the enabling of the "EnablePeriodicBackup" registry value. Once enabled, The OS will backup System registry hives on restarts to the "C:\Windows\System32\config\RegBack" folder. Windows generates a "RegIdleBackup" task to manage subsequent backups. Registry backup was a default behavior on Windows and was disabled as of "Windows 10, version 1803".
references:
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1113/
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-client/installing-updates-features-roles/system-registry-no-backed-up-regback-folder
author: Huntrule Team
date: 2026-02-04
tags:
    - attack.collection
    - attack.t1113
logsource:
    category: registry_set
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        TargetObject|endswith: '\Control\Session Manager\Configuration Manager\EnablePeriodicBackup'
        Details: 'DWORD (0x00000001)'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium