huntrule

Windows Registry: Monitor PendingFileRenameOperations changes from suspicious images

Alerts on registry tampering of PendingFileRenameOperations by processes running from suspicious image paths.

FreeReviewedSigma · Medium · v1
Product
windows
Category
registry_set
Author
frack113 (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2023-01-27
Updated
2026-07-30
AnalysisDetection

ATT&CK techniques

Defense Evasion

  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 updates to the PendingFileRenameOperations registry value under the Session Manager key when the originating Image path matches uncommon, suspicious locations. Attackers can use this mechanism to stage file renames or deletions after reboot while reducing the need for immediate disruption. It relies on Windows registry set telemetry, including TargetObject and the process Image that performed the change, to identify potentially tampering activity.

Reporting behind it

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Windows Registry: Monitor PendingFileRenameOperations changes from suspicious images
Pivot detection · T1036.003 · 9 related

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