huntrule

Windows Registry: New NetworkProvider service keys indicative of credential dumping

Alerts on registry additions/changes to NetworkProvider service entries that may be used to dump clear-text credentials.

FreeReviewedSigma · Medium · v1
Product
windows
Category
registry_set
Author
Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems) (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2022-08-23
Updated
2026-07-30
AnalysisDetection

ATT&CK techniques

Cred Access

  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 registry writes that target NetworkProvider-related service entries under HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\, excluding specific well-known NetworkProvider paths. Adversaries may add or modify network provider components to capture clear-text credentials. The detection relies on registry_set telemetry capturing the TargetObject path and correlates events with process context where Image equals C:\Windows\System32\poqexec.exe.

Reporting behind it

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Suspicious Veeam Backup Credential Harvesting via PowerShell (via ps_script)
Suspicious Network Provider Registration for Credential Interception via NPPSpy
Malicious Mimikatz Malicious Security Package (SSP) Exfiltrates Cleartext Passwords in File (via file_event)
Malicious WDigest UseLogonCredential Enablement For Credential Theft
Linux: Detect changes to fs.suid_dumpable enabling core dumps for SUID processes
Windows Registry: New NetworkProvider service keys indicative of credential dumping
Pivot detection · T1003 · 9 related

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