Windows Process Information Discovery via Registry Queries (reg.exe/powershell)
Flags reg.exe and PowerShell registry queries used to enumerate OS, Defender, installed apps, timezone, and services.
FreeReviewedSigma · Low · v2
- Product
- windows
- Category
- process_creation
- Author
- lazarg (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
- Published
- 2025-06-12
- Updated
- 2026-07-31
ATT&CK techniques
DiscoveryRecon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact
What it detects
This rule flags process executions that query Windows Registry system information using reg.exe or PowerShell. Attackers may use these queries to enumerate OS details, Defender state, installed software, time zone information, and existing services. It relies on process creation telemetry capturing the executable image, command line content, and Registry path strings.
Reporting behind it
- cert.gov.uahttps://cert.gov.ua/article/6277849
- github.comhttps://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/75fa21076dcefa348a7521403cdd6bfc4e88623c/atomics/T1082/T1082.md
- github.comhttps://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/75fa21076dcefa348a7521403cdd6bfc4e88623c/atomics/T1124/T1124.md
- github.comhttps://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_discovery_via_reg_queries.yml
Changelog
v2- v2Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
- v1No 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-process-discovery-via-registry-queries-reg-exe-and-powershell-0022869c
title: Windows Process Information Discovery via Registry Queries (reg.exe/powershell)
id: 965f1e04-3b43-44cb-b7bf-4d2ddffa5c37
status: experimental
description: This rule flags process executions that query Windows Registry system information using reg.exe or PowerShell. Attackers may use these queries to enumerate OS details, Defender state, installed software, time zone information, and existing services. It relies on process creation telemetry capturing the executable image, command line content, and Registry path strings.
references:
- https://cert.gov.ua/article/6277849
- https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/75fa21076dcefa348a7521403cdd6bfc4e88623c/atomics/T1082/T1082.md
- https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/75fa21076dcefa348a7521403cdd6bfc4e88623c/atomics/T1124/T1124.md
- https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_discovery_via_reg_queries.yml
author: lazarg, Huntrule Team
date: 2025-06-12
modified: 2025-10-25
tags:
- attack.discovery
- attack.t1082
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection_cmd_reg:
Image|endswith: \reg.exe
CommandLine|contains: query
CommandLine|contains|windash: -v
selection_cmd_powershell:
Image|endswith:
- \powershell.exe
- \pwsh.exe
CommandLine|contains:
- Get-ItemPropertyValue
- gpv
selection_keys:
CommandLine|contains:
- \SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Defender
- \SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion
- \SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
- \SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\TimeZoneInformation
- \SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services
condition: 1 of selection_cmd_* and selection_keys
falsepositives:
- Unlikely
level: low
regression_tests_path: regression_data/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_discovery_via_reg_queries/info.yml
simulation:
- type: atomic-red-team
name: System Information Discovery
technique: T1010
atomic_guid: 66703791-c902-4560-8770-42b8a91f7667
- type: atomic-red-team
name: Discover OS Product Name via Registry
technique: T1082
atomic_guid: be3b5fe3-a575-4fb8-83f6-ad4a68dd5ce7
- type: atomic-red-team
name: Discover OS Build Number via Registry
technique: T1082
atomic_guid: acfcd709-0013-4f1e-b9ee-bc1e7bafaaec
license: DRL-1.1
related:
- id: 0022869c-49f7-4ff2-ba03-85ac42ddac58
type: derived