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Windows Registry Set Internet Settings ZoneMap Proxy and Intranet Values

Alerts on Windows ZoneMap registry changes that set proxy/intranet bypass values, using registry set-value telemetry and process image context.

FreeReviewedSigma · Low · v4
Product
windows
Category
registry_set
Author
Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2024-07-31
Updated
2026-07-31
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 Windows registry value changes under the Internet Settings ZoneMap path that enable or disable proxy-related and intranet zone settings. Attackers and malware may modify these settings to influence how the system routes web requests, potentially bypassing security controls or ensuring communication paths to external infrastructure. The detection relies on telemetry for registry SetValue events, including the modified target object, the DWORD data value, and the originating process image path to help contextualize potentially suspicious activity.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1112 — drag to rearrange
Malicious Enabling of Restricted Admin Mode via Registry by UAT-8837
Suspicious Enabling of Remote Desktop via fDenyTSConnections Registry by DeadLock Ransomware
Malicious Service DLL Hijack for Persistence via Lotus Blossom
Suspicious Loopback Proxy Server Configured via Registry (via registry_set)
Malicious WDigest Credential Caching Enabled via Registry (via registry_set)
Suspicious Remote Desktop Enabled via fDenyTSConnections Registry by Sandworm
Malicious Gh0stBins RAT Registry Marker HHClient
Suspicious PebbleDash C2 Configuration Stored Under WMI Security Key (via registry_set)
Suspicious WDigest UseLogonCredential Enablement for Plaintext Credential Theft (via registry_set)
Windows Registry Set Internet Settings ZoneMap Proxy and Intranet Values
Pivot detection · T1112 · 9 related

Changelog

v4
  1. v4
    Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
  2. v2
    Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
  3. v1
    No changelog recorded for this version.2026-07-30

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