Suspicious ServiceDll Hijack (via registry_set)

title: Suspicious ServiceDll Hijack (via registry_set)
id: 11330f00-b34a-5c30-bf9b-7e5877244250
status: stable
description: This rule detects changes to the "ServiceDLL" value related to a service in the registry. This is frequently used as a method of persistence.
references:
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1543/003/
    - https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1543.003/T1543.003.md#atomic-test-4---tinyturla-backdoor-service-w64time
    - https://www.hexacorn.com/blog/2013/09/19/beyond-good-ol-run-key-part-4/
author: Huntrule Team
date: 2026-01-07
tags:
    - attack.persistence
    - attack.privilege-escalation
    - attack.t1543.003
logsource:
    category: registry_set
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        TargetObject|contains|all:
            - '\System\'
            - 'ControlSet'
            - '\Services\'
        TargetObject|endswith: '\Parameters\ServiceDll'
    filter_main_printextensionmanger:
        Details: 'C:\Windows\system32\spool\drivers\x64\3\PrintConfig.dll'
    filter_main_domain_controller:
        Image: 'C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe'
        TargetObject|endswith: '\Services\NTDS\Parameters\ServiceDll'
        Details: '%%systemroot%%\system32\ntdsa.dll'
    filter_main_poqexec:
        Image: 'C:\Windows\System32\poqexec.exe'
    filter_optional_safetica:
        Image|endswith: '\regsvr32.exe'
        Details: 'C:\Windows\System32\STAgent.dll'
    condition: selection and not 1 of filter_main_* and not 1 of filter_optional_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium