Windows desktopimgdownldr Suspicious URL and Registry Modification via Command Line

Flags desktopimgdownldr command lines indicating potential external file download or personalization registry deletion.

FreeReviewedSigma · High · v2

Product: windows
Category: process_creation
Author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems) (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published: 2020-07-03
Updated: 2026-07-31

ATT&CK techniques

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
- T1105Ingress Tool Transfer
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule flags suspicious execution of the Microsoft desktopimgdownldr utility where the command line includes a lockscreen URL parameter, excluding cases that also reference common image file extensions. It also detects desktopimgdownldr commands that attempt to delete the PersonalizationCSP registry setting, which can indicate persistence or environment manipulation. Telemetry relies on Windows process creation events and the full command line captured at execution time.

Reporting behind it

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Windows desktopimgdownldr Suspicious URL and Registry Modification via Command Line

Pivot detection · T1105 · 9 related

Changelog

v2
Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
v1
No changelog recorded for this version.2026-07-30

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

windows-desktopimgdownldr-suspicious-download-parameters-and-registry-deletion-bb58aa4a

title: Windows desktopimgdownldr Suspicious URL and Registry Modification via Command Line
id: 378d2c89-487e-4b45-adb9-558c9d8dff93
status: test
description: This rule flags suspicious execution of the Microsoft desktopimgdownldr utility where the command line includes a lockscreen URL parameter, excluding cases that also reference common image file extensions. It also detects desktopimgdownldr commands that attempt to delete the PersonalizationCSP registry setting, which can indicate persistence or environment manipulation. Telemetry relies on Windows process creation events and the full command line captured at execution time.
references:
  - https://labs.sentinelone.com/living-off-windows-land-a-new-native-file-downldr/
  - https://twitter.com/SBousseaden/status/1278977301745741825
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_desktopimgdownldr_susp_execution.yml
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems), Huntrule Team
date: 2020-07-03
modified: 2021-11-27
tags:
  - attack.command-and-control
  - attack.t1105
logsource:
  category: process_creation
  product: windows
detection:
  selection1:
    CommandLine|contains: " /lockscreenurl:"
  selection1_filter:
    CommandLine|contains:
      - .jpg
      - .jpeg
      - .png
  selection_reg:
    CommandLine|contains|all:
      - reg delete
      - \PersonalizationCSP
  condition: ( selection1 and not selection1_filter ) or selection_reg
falsepositives:
  - False positives depend on scripts and administrative tools used in the monitored environment
level: high
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: bb58aa4a-b80b-415a-a2c0-2f65a4c81009
    type: derived

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