Suspicious Startup Folder LNK Persistence Creation via File System (via file_event)

PremiumReviewedSigma · Medium · v1
Product
windows
Category
file_event
Author
HuntRule
Published
2026-10-31
Updated
2026-10-31

ATT&CK techniques

Persistence → Priv Esc
  1. Recon

  2. Resource Dev

  3. Initial Access

  4. Execution

  5. Defense Evasion

  6. Cred Access

  7. Discovery

  8. Lateral Movement

  9. Collection

  10. C2

  11. Exfiltration

  12. Impact

What it detects

This rule detects creation of an update.lnk shortcut in the Windows Startup folder, a persistence mechanism used by the Warzone RAT to relaunch its payload at logon. It is associated with the Confucius APT campaign deploying Warzone RAT reported by Uptycs. Shortcuts dropped into Startup by non-installer processes are a common autorun persistence technique that merits investigation.

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Malicious Startup Persistence via WindowsDefenderSync Shortcut (via file_event)
Malicious PXA Stealer Persistence via Windows Update Service Run Key (via registry_set)
Suspicious NetSupport client32 Persistence via Run Key from ProgramData
Suspicious Startup Folder LNK Persistence Creation via File System (via file_event)
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.