Windows Registry Defense Impairment via Explorer Hide* Policy Values

ATT&CK techniques

Persistence → Defense Evasion

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
- T1112Modify Registry
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
- T1112Modify Registry
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule identifies Windows registry writes that set specific Explorer policy values to hide UI elements by modifying DWORD settings under CurrentVersion Policies Explorer Hide* keys. Attackers may use this defense-impairment technique to reduce user visibility of activity or internal tools. It relies on telemetry from registry set events capturing the TargetObject path and the Details DWORD value written.

Reporting behind it

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Windows Registry Defense Impairment via Explorer Hide* Policy Values

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.

windows-registry-defense-impairment-via-explorer-hide-policy-values-5a93eb65

title: Windows Registry Defense Impairment via Explorer Hide* Policy Values
id: eb346ebe-6682-4232-a288-b3af972265e5
status: test
description: This rule identifies Windows registry writes that set specific Explorer policy values to hide UI elements by modifying DWORD settings under CurrentVersion Policies Explorer Hide* keys. Attackers may use this defense-impairment technique to reduce user visibility of activity or internal tools. It relies on telemetry from registry set events capturing the TargetObject path and the Details DWORD value written.
references:
  - https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1564.001/T1564.001.md
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/registry/registry_set/registry_set_hide_function_user.yml
author: frack113, Huntrule Team
date: 2022-03-18
modified: 2023-08-17
tags:
  - attack.persistence
  - attack.defense-impairment
  - attack.t1112
logsource:
  category: registry_set
  product: windows
detection:
  selection_set_1:
    TargetObject|endswith:
      - SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\HideClock
      - SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\HideSCAHealth
      - SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\HideSCANetwork
      - SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\HideSCAPower
      - SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\HideSCAVolume
    Details: DWORD (0x00000001)
  selection_set_0:
    TargetObject|endswith:
      - SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\ShowInfoTip
      - SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\ShowCompColor
    Details: DWORD (0x00000000)
  condition: 1 of selection_set_*
falsepositives:
  - Legitimate admin script
level: medium
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: 5a93eb65-dffa-4543-b761-94aa60098fb6
    type: derived

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