huntrule

Windows Registry Modification via Process Creation Command Lines Indicative of Ke3chang/TidePool

Alerts on Windows process command lines that set IE hardening and related Internet Explorer registry properties consistent with Ke3chang/TidePool.

FreeReviewedSigma · High · v5
Product
windows
Category
process_creation
Author
Markus Neis, Swisscom (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2020-06-18
Updated
2026-07-31
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 Windows process executions whose command lines include specific Internet Explorer hardening and first-run customization registry property settings associated with Ke3chang/TidePool. Such modifications can weaken browser and security-related configuration, supporting defense-impairment and stealthy persistence. It relies on process creation telemetry that captures the full command line used to set the registry values.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1685 — drag to rearrange
Malicious Microsoft Defender Tampering via PowerShell Preference Cmdlets
Suspicious Windows Defender Exclusion via Add-MpPreference (via process_creation)
Malicious Windows Defender Service Tampering via PowerShell (via process_creation)
Windows Defender Disabled via DisableAntiSpyware Registry Key
Suspicious Vulnerable Intel Ethernet Driver Load for BYOVD via SCATTERED SPIDER (via driver_load)
Malicious Defender Disable And Executable Exclusion Via Registry
Malicious UAC Disable via EnableLUA Registry Modification (via registry_set)
Malicious AMSI and ETW Patching via PowerShell Script
Malicious PowMix AMSI Bypass via amsiInitFailed
Windows Registry Modification via Process Creation Command Lines Indicative of Ke3chang/TidePool
Pivot detection · T1685 · 9 related

Changelog

v5
  1. v5
    Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
  2. v4
    Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
  3. v3
    Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
  4. v2
    Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
  5. v1
    No changelog recorded for this version.2026-07-30

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