huntrule

Windows Registry NGenAssemblyUsageLog Key Tampering via .NET Usage Log Configuration

Alerts on registry modifications to the .NETFramework NGenAssemblyUsageLog key that can disrupt .NET Usage Log creation.

FreeReviewedSigma · High · v1
Product
windows
Category
registry_set
Author
frack113 (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2022-11-18
Updated
2026-07-30
AnalysisDetection

ATT&CK techniques

Persistence → 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 registry changes to the SOFTWARE\Microsoft\.NETFramework\NGenAssemblyUsageLog key. Attackers can tamper with the .NET Usage Log output location so that expected usage log files are not created, supporting defense impairment and evasion. Detection relies on Windows registry set events that include the full TargetObject path ending in the NGenAssemblyUsageLog key.

Reporting behind it

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Malicious WDigest UseLogonCredential Enabled for Cleartext Credential Theft (via registry_set)
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Windows Registry NGenAssemblyUsageLog Key Tampering via .NET Usage Log Configuration
Pivot detection · T1112 · 9 related

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