Suspicious Startup Persistence via Registry Run Key Pointing to Script

PremiumReviewedSigma · Medium · v1
Product
windows
Category
registry_set
Author
HuntRule
Published
2026-09-23
Updated
2026-09-23

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 a registry Run key value being set to a VBScript or JScript file, a startup persistence method used by Pure Crypter alongside scheduled tasks. Run keys that launch script files at logon are a frequent malware persistence mechanism and should be validated against known good software.

Related detections9 linkedT1547.001 — drag to rearrange
PureHVNC RAT Persistence via SwiftWrite Internet Shortcut in Startup Folder (via file_event)
Suspicious APT37 Run Key Persistence Masquerading as OneDrive Updater (via process_creation)
Malicious Axios npm Compromise Run Key Persistence as MicrosoftUpdate (via registry_set)
Suspicious Run Key Persistence via Reg Add
Suspicious Run Key Persistence Pointing to ProgramData Executable
Possible WSHRAT Persistence via Run Key Silent Script Execution
Malicious Run Key Persistence via wininfo64 Path by Italian Infostealer (via registry_set)
Suspicious Startup Folder LNK Persistence Creation via File System (via file_event)
Suspicious XWorm Persistence Run Key Pointing to Batch Loader via ScreenConnect Lure (via registry_set)
Suspicious Startup Persistence via Registry Run Key Pointing to Script
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.