Windows Registry Policy Change to Disable/Impair Internal Tools and UI Features

Detects registry policy edits that disable Windows tools/features or alter related system behavior via specific DWORD values.

FreeUnreviewedSigmamediumv1

windows-registry-policy-change-to-disable-impair-internal-tools-and-ui-features-e2482f8d

title: Windows Registry Policy Change to Disable/Impair Internal Tools and UI Features
id: 47d7ce97-b219-4edf-ad1a-124764c61261
status: test
description: This rule flags registry modifications that set specific Windows policy keys to values consistent with disabling system tools, restricting functionality, or impairing user interface elements. Attackers may use these registry changes to hinder defense and user response by reducing visibility and functionality, leveraging Windows policy-based controls. It relies on telemetry from registry set events capturing the TargetObject and the set Details value (DWORD 0x00000001 or 0x00000000) for the matched policy paths.
references:
  - https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1112/T1112.md
  - https://www.mandiant.com/resources/unc2165-shifts-to-evade-sanctions
  - https://blogs.vmware.com/security/2022/11/batloader-the-evasive-downloader-malware.html
  - https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/detections/pum-optional-nodispbackgroundpage
  - https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/detections/pum-optional-nodispcpl
  - https://bazaar.abuse.ch/sample/7bde840c7e8c36dce4c3bac937bcf39f36a6f118001b406bfbbc25451ce44fb4/
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/registry/registry_set/registry_set_disable_function_user.yml
author: frack113, Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), CrimpSec, Huntrule Team
date: 2022-03-18
modified: 2025-06-04
tags:
  - attack.persistence
  - attack.defense-impairment
  - attack.t1112
logsource:
  category: registry_set
  product: windows
detection:
  selection_set_1:
    TargetObject|endswith:
      - SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\DisableCMD
      - SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\NoControlPanel
      - SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\NoRun
      - SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\StartMenuLogOff
      - SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System\DisableChangePassword
      - SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System\DisableLockWorkstation
      - SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System\DisableRegistryTools
      - SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System\DisableTaskmgr
      - SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System\NoDispBackgroundPage
      - SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System\NoDispCPL
      - SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer\DisableNotificationCenter
      - SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System\DisableCMD
    Details: DWORD (0x00000001)
  selection_set_0:
    TargetObject|endswith:
      - SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System\ConsentPromptBehaviorAdmin
      - Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System\InactivityTimeoutSecs
      - SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System\shutdownwithoutlogon
      - SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\PushNotifications\ToastEnabled
      - SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Storage\Write Protection
      - SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\StorageDevicePolicies\WriteProtect
    Details: DWORD (0x00000000)
  condition: 1 of selection_set_*
falsepositives:
  - Legitimate admin script
level: medium
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: e2482f8d-3443-4237-b906-cc145d87a076
    type: derived

What it detects

This rule flags registry modifications that set specific Windows policy keys to values consistent with disabling system tools, restricting functionality, or impairing user interface elements. Attackers may use these registry changes to hinder defense and user response by reducing visibility and functionality, leveraging Windows policy-based controls. It relies on telemetry from registry set events capturing the TargetObject and the set Details value (DWORD 0x00000001 or 0x00000000) for the matched policy paths.

Known false positives

Legitimate admin script

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