Suspicious Run Key Persistence via UpdateCheck Value in Operation TrueChaos

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 creation of an UpdateCheck value under a Windows Run key, the autostart persistence mechanism used in Operation TrueChaos to relaunch the Havoc loader at logon. A masquerading update-check value written to a Run key is an established persistence indicator for this campaign.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1547.001 — drag to rearrange

Malicious Registry Run Key Persistence Using Scarlet Goldfinch OFFICE and DIVXX Values (via registry_set)

Suspicious Internet Shortcut URL File Registered for Run Key Persistence (via registry_set)

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)

Suspicious Run Key Persistence Named Updater

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 Run Key Persistence via UpdateCheck Value in Operation TrueChaos

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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