Windows Registry: Set DisallowRun DWORD to 0x1 to Block User Program Execution

Detects Windows registry writes setting Explorer\DisallowRun to DWORD 0x1, a defense-impairment behavior.

FreeUnreviewedSigmamediumv1

windows-registry-set-disallowrun-dword-to-0x1-to-block-user-program-execution-275641a5

title: "Windows Registry: Set DisallowRun DWORD to 0x1 to Block User Program Execution"
id: 801e95f1-515e-4244-9334-5184c4aafde9
status: test
description: This rule flags registry modifications where the Policies Explorer DisallowRun key is set with a DWORD value of 0x00000001. Attackers can use this setting to interfere with user activity by blocking the execution of specific programs, impacting availability and analyst ability to validate changes. The detection relies on Windows registry set events that capture the TargetObject path and the Details value written to the DisallowRun entry.
references:
  - https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/40b77d63808dd4f4eafb83949805636735a1fd15/atomics/T1112/T1112.md
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/registry/registry_set/registry_set_disallowrun_execution.yml
author: frack113, Huntrule Team
date: 2022-08-19
modified: 2023-08-17
tags:
  - attack.persistence
  - attack.defense-impairment
  - attack.t1112
logsource:
  category: registry_set
  product: windows
detection:
  selection:
    TargetObject|endswith: Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\DisallowRun
    Details: DWORD (0x00000001)
  condition: selection
falsepositives:
  - Unknown
level: medium
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: 275641a5-a492-45e2-a817-7c81e9d9d3e9
    type: derived

What it detects

This rule flags registry modifications where the Policies Explorer DisallowRun key is set with a DWORD value of 0x00000001. Attackers can use this setting to interfere with user activity by blocking the execution of specific programs, impacting availability and analyst ability to validate changes. The detection relies on Windows registry set events that capture the TargetObject path and the Details value written to the DisallowRun entry.

Known false positives

Unknown

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