Windows Registry: New BgInfo UserFields value enabling custom WMI query execution

Alerts on new BgInfo UserFields registry entries that appear to configure a custom WMI query.

FreeUnreviewedSigmamediumv1

windows-registry-new-bginfo-userfields-value-enabling-custom-wmi-query-execution-cd277474

title: "Windows Registry: New BgInfo UserFields value enabling custom WMI query execution"
id: 67229be3-6dd9-4c50-9890-dfb62d67c3e5
related:
  - id: 992dd79f-dde8-4bb0-9085-6350ba97cfb3
    type: similar
  - id: cd277474-5c52-4423-a52b-ac2d7969902f
    type: derived
status: test
description: This rule flags creation or modification of a registry value under the BgInfo UserFields path that includes a WMI-encoded indicator in the Details field. Attackers can use BgInfo configuration to trigger execution paths tied to custom WMI queries, impacting system behavior and persistence. It relies on Windows registry set telemetry, matching specific target paths and a Details value prefix consistent with WMI usage.
references:
  - Internal Research
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/registry/registry_set/registry_set_bginfo_custom_wmi_query.yml
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), Huntrule Team
date: 2023-08-16
tags:
  - attack.persistence
  - attack.defense-impairment
  - attack.t1112
logsource:
  category: registry_set
  product: windows
detection:
  selection:
    TargetObject|contains: \Software\Winternals\BGInfo\UserFields\
    Details|startswith: "6"
  condition: selection
falsepositives:
  - Legitimate WMI query
level: medium
license: DRL-1.1

What it detects

This rule flags creation or modification of a registry value under the BgInfo UserFields path that includes a WMI-encoded indicator in the Details field. Attackers can use BgInfo configuration to trigger execution paths tied to custom WMI queries, impacting system behavior and persistence. It relies on Windows registry set telemetry, matching specific target paths and a Details value prefix consistent with WMI usage.

Known false positives

Legitimate WMI query

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