Suspicious Run Key Persistence Masquerading as MicrosoftUpdate via Axios npm Compromise

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 a Run key persistence value named MicrosoftUpdate, a masquerade used by the SILKBELL payload delivered through the compromised axios npm package. The benign-looking value name hides a batch launcher that beacons to attacker infrastructure. Autostart entries impersonating Microsoft update services should be validated against their target executable.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1547.001 — drag to rearrange

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Suspicious XWorm Persistence Run Key Pointing to Batch Loader via ScreenConnect Lure (via registry_set)

Suspicious Run Key Persistence Masquerading as MicrosoftUpdate via Axios npm Compromise

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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