Windows Registry Modification in Security Center AV Provider Keys (ProductEXE/DisplayName/ReportingExe)

ATT&CK techniques

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

What it detects

This rule flags registry set activity targeting Microsoft Security Center AV Provider keys by matching TargetObject paths that end with ProductEXE, DisplayName, or ReportingExe. These values are used to represent installed antivirus/security product information, so unauthorized or unexpected changes may indicate attempts to impair or misrepresent security tooling. It relies on registry set telemetry including the TargetObject path and the modifying process details captured in the event.

Reporting behind it

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Windows Registry Modification in Security Center AV Provider Keys (ProductEXE/DisplayName/ReportingExe)

Pivot detection · T1685 · 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-modification-in-security-center-av-provider-keys-productexe-dis-9991c683

title: Windows Registry Modification in Security Center AV Provider Keys (ProductEXE/DisplayName/ReportingExe)
id: 5c499481-6e2d-4e58-9b52-1bcd487e1a4f
status: experimental
description: This rule flags registry set activity targeting Microsoft Security Center AV Provider keys by matching TargetObject paths that end with ProductEXE, DisplayName, or ReportingExe. These values are used to represent installed antivirus/security product information, so unauthorized or unexpected changes may indicate attempts to impair or misrepresent security tooling. It relies on registry set telemetry including the TargetObject path and the modifying process details captured in the event.
references:
  - https://www.huntress.com/blog/defendnot-detecting-malicious-security-product-bypass-techniques
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/registry/registry_set/registry_set_security_center_av_registry_modification.yml
author: Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel (Nextron Systems), Huntrule Team
date: 2026-10-18
tags:
  - attack.defense-impairment
  - attack.t1685
logsource:
  category: registry_set
  product: windows
detection:
  selection:
    TargetObject|contains: \Software\Microsoft\Security Center\Provider\Av\
    TargetObject|endswith:
      - \ProductEXE
      - \DisplayName
      - \ReportingExe
  filter_optional_antivirus:
    Image: C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe
    Details|contains:
      - Avira
      - Windows Defender
      - Microsoft Defender
      - Sophos
      - Kaspersky
      - ESET
      - Bitdefender
      - Trend Micro
      - McAfee
      - Symantec
      - CrowdStrike
      - SentinelOne
      - Carbon Black
      - Elastic
      - Cortex
      - AVG
      - Avast
      - Malwarebytes
  condition: selection and not 1 of filter_optional_*
falsepositives:
  - Legitimate changes by antivirus software missing in the filter list
level: medium
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: 9991c683-05aa-47b7-a865-df14dc4b9dc4
    type: derived

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