huntrule

Windows reg.exe deletes service registry keys using the delete flag

Alerts on reg.exe command lines that delete entries under the Windows services registry path.

FreeReviewedSigma · High · v1
Product
windows
Category
process_creation
Author
Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems) (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2022-08-01
Updated
2026-07-30
AnalysisDetection

ATT&CK techniques

  1. Recon

  2. Resource Dev

  3. Initial Access

  4. Execution

  5. Persistence

  6. Priv Esc

  7. Defense Evasion

  8. Cred Access

  9. Discovery

  10. Lateral Movement

  11. Collection

  12. C2

  13. Exfiltration

  14. Impact

What it detects

This rule flags process creation where reg.exe is executed with a delete action in the context of the services registry path (\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\). Deleting service registry keys can be used to hinder or remove security-relevant services, supporting defense impairment. It relies on Windows process creation telemetry, matching reg.exe by filename and identifying deletion intent and registry target via command-line substrings.

Reporting behind it

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Windows reg.exe deletes service registry keys using the delete flag
Pivot detection · T1685 · 9 related

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