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 Vulnerable Driver Service Creation for BYOVD (via process_creation)
Malicious Microsoft Defender Disabled via Registry DisableAntiSpyware (via process_creation)
Suspicious Termination of Defender Tray Process via Taskkill
Malicious Windows Defender Disablement via MpCmdRun RemoveDefinitions
Malicious Unsigned VIB Installation on ESXi Host via esxcli (via process_creation)
Suspicious In-Memory PowerShell Execution from Web Server via Automation Assembly (via image_load)
Malicious EDR Evasion Driver Load from AnyDesk Directory via k.sys (via image_load)
Malicious Zemana Vulnerable Driver Load for EDR Termination (via image_load)
Suspicious EDRKillShifter Vulnerable Driver Load from User Temp Directory (via image_load)
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.