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.

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windows-registry-new-networkprovider-service-keys-indicative-of-credential-dumpi-0442defa

title: "Windows Registry: New NetworkProvider service keys indicative of credential dumping"
id: 4547eebe-b91d-4b57-a807-1d57f360b81e
related:
  - id: baef1ec6-2ca9-47a3-97cc-4cf2bda10b77
    type: similar
  - id: 0442defa-b4a2-41c9-ae2c-ea7042fc4701
    type: derived
status: test
description: 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.
references:
  - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-client/setup-upgrade-and-drivers/network-provider-settings-removed-in-place-upgrade
  - https://github.com/gtworek/PSBits/tree/master/PasswordStealing/NPPSpy
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/registry/registry_set/registry_set_new_network_provider.yml
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), Huntrule Team
date: 2022-08-23
modified: 2023-08-17
tags:
  - attack.credential-access
  - attack.t1003
logsource:
  category: registry_set
  product: windows
detection:
  selection:
    TargetObject|contains|all:
      - \System\CurrentControlSet\Services\
      - \NetworkProvider
  filter:
    TargetObject|contains:
      - \System\CurrentControlSet\Services\WebClient\NetworkProvider
      - \System\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanmanWorkstation\NetworkProvider
      - \System\CurrentControlSet\Services\RDPNP\NetworkProvider
  filter_valid_procs:
    Image: C:\Windows\System32\poqexec.exe
  condition: selection and not 1 of filter*
falsepositives:
  - Other legitimate network providers used and not filtred in this rule
level: medium
license: DRL-1.1

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.

Known false positives

Other legitimate network providers used and not filtred in this rule

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