Windows: Process writes registry to disable storage write-protection
Alerts on Windows process command lines that appear to disable storage write-protection via registry modification.
- Product
- windows
- Category
- process_creation
- Author
- Sreeman (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
- Published
- 2021-06-11
- Updated
- 2026-07-30
ATT&CK techniques
Recon
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 whose command line contains registry path and value fragments associated with disabling storage write-protection. Attackers may attempt to weaken storage safeguards to enable later destructive or extortion-related activity. The detection relies on Windows process creation telemetry and matches specific command-line substrings related to the relevant registry location and settings.
Reporting behind it
Detection content is published as a reviewed draft. Tune thresholds and exclusions against your own telemetry before enabling this rule for alerting.
title: "Windows: Process writes registry to disable storage write-protection"
id: 825816fe-6513-435d-ac4f-d7ed0be14752
status: test
description: This rule flags process executions whose command line contains registry path and value fragments associated with disabling storage write-protection. Attackers may attempt to weaken storage safeguards to enable later destructive or extortion-related activity. The detection relies on Windows process creation telemetry and matches specific command-line substrings related to the relevant registry location and settings.
references:
- https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/os-imaging-deployment/media-is-write-protected.html
- https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/process_creation/proc_creation_win_reg_write_protect_for_storage_disabled.yml
author: Sreeman, Huntrule Team
date: 2021-06-11
modified: 2024-01-18
tags:
- attack.defense-impairment
- attack.t1685
logsource:
product: windows
category: process_creation
detection:
selection:
CommandLine|contains|all:
- \System\CurrentControlSet\Control
- Write Protection
- "0"
- storage
condition: selection
falsepositives:
- Unknown
level: medium
license: DRL-1.1
related:
- id: 75f7a0e2-7154-4c4d-9eae-5cdb4e0a5c13
type: derived