huntrule

Suspicious Run Key Persistence Named Updater

PremiumReviewedSigma · Medium · v1
Product
windows
Category
registry_set
Author
HuntRule
Published
2026-10-22
Updated
2026-10-22
AnalysisDetection

ATT&CK techniques

Persistence → Priv Esc

  1. Recon

  2. Resource Dev

  3. Initial Access

  4. Execution

  5. Persistence

  6. Priv Esc

  7. Defense Evasion

  8. Cred Access

  9. Discovery

  10. Lateral Movement

  11. Collection

  12. C2

  13. Exfiltration

  14. Impact

What it detects

This rule detects a Run key value named Updater pointing at a binary in a user-writable directory such as AppData ProgramData or Temp. AdaptixC2 establishes autostart persistence by creating a Run key called Updater. An Updater autorun entry executing from a non-standard path is suspicious masquerading persistence.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1547.001 — drag to rearrange
Malicious Run Key Persistence Named SystemAgentService
Suspicious Run Key Persistence Pointing to ProgramData Executable (via registry_set)
Suspicious Run Key Persistence Pointing to WScript via PhantomVAI Loader (via registry_set)
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Suspicious RunOnce Persistence Pointing to User AppData
Malicious FalseFont Backdoor Run Key Persistence from AppData (via registry_set)
Malicious Registry Run Key Persistence via AHealthDB by Stately Taurus
Suspicious PikaBot Autorun Persistence Pointing to AppData Microsoft Dropzone via registry_set
Malicious Live Ledger Persistence via Realter HD Audio Run Key via registry_set
Suspicious Run Key Persistence Named Updater
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.