Suspicious RoboForm Update Run Key Masquerade (via registry_set)

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 an HKLM Run value named RoboForm Update pointing to a binary outside the legitimate RoboForm install path, a persistence masquerade used by PlugX in the SmugX campaign. The technique blends the autostart entry with a trusted product name while launching a sideloaded loader from a staging directory.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1547.001 — drag to rearrange

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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)

Suspicious RoboForm Update Run Key Masquerade (via registry_set)

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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