Suspicious Rebuild Performance Counter Values Through Lodctr.EXE (via process_creation)

title: Suspicious Rebuild Performance Counter Values Through Lodctr.EXE (via process_creation)
id: ddf803c5-2f70-5137-aca4-5245effb1493
status: stable
description: This rule detects the execution of "lodctr.exe" to rebuild the performance counter registry values. This can be misused by adversaries by providing a hostile config file to overwrite performance counter configuration to confuse and evade monitoring and security solutions.
references:
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/identity-protection/virtual-smart-cards/virtual-smart-card-tpmvscmgr
author: Huntrule Team
date: 2026-06-10
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.defense-evasion
    - attack.t1562.001
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_img:
        Image|endswith: '\lodctr.exe'
        OriginalFileName: 'LODCTR.EXE'
    selection_cli:
        CommandLine|contains|windash: ' -r'
    condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium