Windows Registry: Appx DebugPath Key for Potential Persistence

Detects registry set activity involving AppX DebugPath entries that may indicate persistence via packaged app debug configuration.

FreeReviewedSigma · Medium · v1

Product: windows
Category: registry_set
Author: frack113 (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published: 2022-07-27
Updated: 2026-07-30

Analysis Detection

ATT&CK techniques

Persistence → Priv Esc

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
- T1546.015Component Object Model Hijacking
Priv Esc
- T1546.015Component Object Model Hijacking
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule flags Windows registry modifications where a TargetObject containing Microsoft-related packaged app debug path entries ends with \DebugPath. It also matches entries under the PackagedAppXDebug Microsoft AppX debug key where the TargetObject ends with \(Default). Such registry persistence mechanisms can be used by attackers to influence how packaged apps are launched or debugged. Detection relies on registry set telemetry that includes TargetObject paths.

Reporting behind it

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Windows Registry: Appx DebugPath Key for Potential Persistence

Pivot detection · T1546.015 · 9 related

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

windows-registry-appx-debugpath-key-for-potential-persistence-df4dc653

title: "Windows Registry: Appx DebugPath Key for Potential Persistence"
id: d696fbd3-e812-4323-81f9-1775e68dd443
status: test
description: This rule flags Windows registry modifications where a TargetObject containing Microsoft-related packaged app debug path entries ends with \DebugPath. It also matches entries under the PackagedAppXDebug Microsoft AppX debug key where the TargetObject ends with \(Default). Such registry persistence mechanisms can be used by attackers to influence how packaged apps are launched or debugged. Detection relies on registry set telemetry that includes TargetObject paths.
references:
  - https://oddvar.moe/2018/09/06/persistence-using-universal-windows-platform-apps-appx/
  - https://github.com/rootm0s/WinPwnage
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/registry/registry_set/registry_set_persistence_appx_debugger.yml
author: frack113, Huntrule Team
date: 2022-07-27
modified: 2023-08-17
tags:
  - attack.privilege-escalation
  - attack.persistence
  - attack.t1546.015
logsource:
  category: registry_set
  product: windows
detection:
  selection_debug:
    TargetObject|contains: Classes\ActivatableClasses\Package\Microsoft.
    TargetObject|endswith: \DebugPath
  selection_default:
    TargetObject|contains: \Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\PackagedAppXDebug\Microsoft.
    TargetObject|endswith: \(Default)
  condition: 1 of selection_*
falsepositives:
  - Unknown
level: medium
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: df4dc653-1029-47ba-8231-3c44238cc0ae
    type: derived

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