Suspicious User Shell Folders Startup Path Modification (via registry_set)

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 modification of the Startup entry under the Explorer User Shell Folders registry key. Adversaries redirect the Startup path to an attacker-controlled directory so that arbitrary programs launch at logon without touching the visible Startup folder. Changing this shell folder mapping is rare in normal operation and is a stealthy persistence technique.

Reporting behind it

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Suspicious User Shell Folders Startup Path Modification (via registry_set)

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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