Suspicious User Shell Folders Startup Redirect for Persistence via Registry

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 User Shell Folders Startup value, redirecting the startup directory to an attacker-controlled path for persistence. This registry hijack was seen in fake browser update infections chaining LummaC and Amadey. Detecting the redirect exposes a stealthy autostart mechanism outside the normal Startup folder.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1547.001 — drag to rearrange

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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 User Shell Folders Startup Redirect for Persistence via Registry

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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