huntrule

Windows: regedit.exe imports .reg via an alternate data stream (ADS)

Alerts when regedit.exe is used to import a .reg file using an alternate data stream pattern in the command line.

FreeReviewedSigma · High · v1
Product
windows
Category
process_creation
Author
Oddvar Moe, Sander Wiebing, oscd.community (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2020-10-12
Updated
2026-07-30
AnalysisDetection

ATT&CK techniques

Persistence → Defense Evasion

  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 executions of regedit.exe where the command line indicates importing a .reg file ("/i" and ".reg") while also matching an alternate data stream pattern (a colon not followed by a space or backslash). Importing registry content through an ADS can be used to obscure file content and delivery artifacts while still leveraging a legitimate Windows utility. It relies on process creation telemetry including Image or OriginalFileName and CommandLine fields.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1112 — drag to rearrange
Suspicious Registry Value under Console WindowsUpdates for C2 Storage
Suspicious Office VBA Object Model Access Enabled via Registry (via registry_set)
Suspicious PowerShell Payload Staging in HKCU Printers Registry Key
Suspicious Rootkit Configuration Registry Keys (via registry_set)
Suspicious Disabling of Chromium App-Bound Encryption via Policy Registry Key (via registry_set)
Windows reg.exe Registry Tampering of Internal Tool and Explorer Policy Settings (T1112)
Suspicious Disabling of Restricted Admin Mode via Registry (via registry_set)
Malicious WDigest UseLogonCredential Enabled for Cleartext Credential Theft (via registry_set)
Suspicious ClickFix RunMRU Entry Recording LOLBIN Command from Run Dialog
Windows: regedit.exe imports .reg via an alternate data stream (ADS)
Pivot detection · T1112 · 9 related

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