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Windows Registry: Alert on Changes to \shell\open\command Targeting Common Malware Paths

Alerts on registry_set events modifying \shell\open\command to point to suspicious temp/user-writable locations.

FreeReviewedSigma · Medium · v1
Product
windows
Category
registry_set
Author
Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel (Nextron Systems) (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2026-01-24
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 registry modifications to Windows shell open command keys that contain suspicious path indicators often abused for persistence or execution. Attackers may change how files are opened by redirecting the open command to locations under user-writable directories or temporary/per-user areas. The detection relies on registry_set telemetry, matching the TargetObject containing '\shell\open\command\' and Details containing paths such as '$Recycle.Bin', Temp, public user folders, and app-local variables.

Reporting behind it

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Malicious User Account Control Bypass via Auto-Elevating Binary Hijack (via process_creation)
Windows Registry: Alert on Changes to \shell\open\command Targeting Common Malware Paths
Pivot detection · T1548.002 · 9 related

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