huntrule

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.

FreeReviewedSigma · Medium · v1
Product
windows
Category
registry_set
Author
frack113 (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2022-08-19
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 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.

Reporting behind it

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Suspicious Disabling of Restricted Admin Mode via Registry (via registry_set)
Malicious WDigest UseLogonCredential Enabled for Cleartext Credential Theft (via registry_set)
Suspicious ClickFix RunMRU Entry Recording LOLBIN Command from Run Dialog
Windows Registry: Set DisallowRun DWORD to 0x1 to Block User Program Execution
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.