Windows AppCompatFlags Store New Application Registry Entries

Alerts on new writes to the AppCompat Compatibility Assistant store registry path, indicating first-time application behavior.

FreeReviewedSigma · Informational · v1

Product: windows
Category: registry_set
Author: Roberto Rodriguez (Cyb3rWard0g), OTR (Open Threat Research) (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published: 2020-05-02
Updated: 2026-07-30

Analysis Detection

ATT&CK techniques

Execution

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
- T1204.002Malicious File
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule flags registry set events where the target path includes the AppCompat Compatibility Assistant store directory. It indicates an application write associated with the AppCompatFlags compatibility assistant storage, which can occur when software executes or is first established on an endpoint. The detection relies on Windows registry_set telemetry capturing the TargetObject path.

Reporting behind it

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Windows AppCompatFlags Store New Application Registry Entries

Pivot detection · T1204.002 · 9 related

Detection content is published as a reviewed draft. Tune thresholds and exclusions against your own telemetry before enabling this rule for alerting.

windows-appcompatflags-store-new-application-registry-entries-60936b49

title: Windows AppCompatFlags Store New Application Registry Entries
id: 9b7ffda5-4fb6-4799-93d1-dd5e309a9a61
status: test
description: This rule flags registry set events where the target path includes the AppCompat Compatibility Assistant store directory. It indicates an application write associated with the AppCompatFlags compatibility assistant storage, which can occur when software executes or is first established on an endpoint. The detection relies on Windows registry_set telemetry capturing the TargetObject path.
references:
  - https://github.com/OTRF/detection-hackathon-apt29/issues/1
  - https://github.com/OTRF/ThreatHunter-Playbook/blob/2d4257f630f4c9770f78d0c1df059f891ffc3fec/docs/evals/apt29/detections/1.A.1_DFD6A782-9BDB-4550-AB6B-525E825B095E.md
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/registry/registry_set/registry_set_new_application_appcompat.yml
author: Roberto Rodriguez (Cyb3rWard0g), OTR (Open Threat Research), Huntrule Team
date: 2020-05-02
modified: 2023-08-17
tags:
  - attack.execution
  - attack.t1204.002
logsource:
  product: windows
  category: registry_set
detection:
  selection:
    TargetObject|contains: \AppCompatFlags\Compatibility Assistant\Store\
  condition: selection
falsepositives:
  - This rule is to explore new applications on an endpoint. False positives depends on the organization.
  - Newly setup system.
  - Legitimate installation of new application.
level: informational
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: 60936b49-fca0-4f32-993d-7415edcf9a5d
    type: derived

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