huntrule

Windows Registry Service Install Indicators for Cobalt Strike Staging

Identifies suspicious Windows service installation registry writes tied to ADMIN$/.exe and %COMSPEC% start powershell patterns.

FreeUnreviewedSigmahighv1
title: Windows Registry Service Install Indicators for Cobalt Strike Staging
id: ccb32ee8-51fc-426f-b482-43908672f85f
status: test
description: This rule flags registry activity consistent with creating or updating Windows services under the CurrentControlSet/ControlSet service paths. It matches service definitions whose Details contain ADMIN$ and an .exe payload, and whose command string includes %COMSPEC%, start, and powershell. Such patterns matter because service-based execution is a common way for attackers to establish persistence and run commands on remote or lateral systems. The detection relies on Windows registry_set telemetry, specifically the TargetObject and Details fields captured during registry writes.
references:
  - https://www.sans.org/webcasts/tech-tuesday-workshop-cobalt-strike-detection-log-analysis-119395
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/registry/registry_set/registry_set_cobaltstrike_service_installs.yml
author: Wojciech Lesicki, Huntrule Team
date: 2021-06-29
modified: 2024-03-25
tags:
  - attack.persistence
  - attack.execution
  - attack.privilege-escalation
  - attack.lateral-movement
  - attack.t1021.002
  - attack.t1543.003
  - attack.t1569.002
logsource:
  category: registry_set
  product: windows
detection:
  selection_key:
    - TargetObject|contains: \System\CurrentControlSet\Services
    - TargetObject|contains|all:
        - \System\ControlSet
        - \Services
  selection_details:
    - Details|contains|all:
        - ADMIN$
        - .exe
    - Details|contains|all:
        - "%COMSPEC%"
        - start
        - powershell
  condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
  - Unlikely
level: high
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: 61a7697c-cb79-42a8-a2ff-5f0cdfae0130
    type: derived

What it detects

This rule flags registry activity consistent with creating or updating Windows services under the CurrentControlSet/ControlSet service paths. It matches service definitions whose Details contain ADMIN$ and an .exe payload, and whose command string includes %COMSPEC%, start, and powershell. Such patterns matter because service-based execution is a common way for attackers to establish persistence and run commands on remote or lateral systems. The detection relies on Windows registry_set telemetry, specifically the TargetObject and Details fields captured during registry writes.

Known false positives

  • Unlikely

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