Query Registry using Built-in Tools

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This rule identifies the execution of commands that can be used to query the Windows Registry. Adversaries may query the registry to gain situational awareness about the host, like installed security software, programs and settings.

Rule type: eql

Rule indices:

  • logs-endpoint.events.*

Severity: low

Risk score: 21

Runs every: 60m

Searches indices from: now-119m (Date Math format, see also Additional look-back time)

Maximum alerts per execution: 100

References: None

Tags:

  • Domain: Endpoint
  • OS: Windows
  • Use Case: Threat Detection
  • Tactic: Discovery
  • Rule Type: BBR

Version: 1

Rule authors:

  • Elastic

Rule license: Elastic License v2

Rule query

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process where host.os.type == "windows" and event.type == "start" and
(
  (
    process.name == "reg.exe" and process.args : "query" and
    not process.parent.executable : ("?:\\Program Files\\*", "?:\\Program Files (x86)\\*")
  ) or
  (
    process.name: ("powershell.exe", "pwsh.exe", "powershell_ise.exe") and
     (process.args: ("*Get-ChildItem*", "*Get-Item*", "*Get-ItemProperty*") and
      process.args : ("*HKLM*", "*HKCU*", "*HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE*", "*HKEY_CURRENT_USER*", "*Registry::*"))
  )
) and not user.id : "S-1-5-18"

Framework: MITRE ATT&CKTM