Potential Persistence Via GlobalFlags

Hunt Hypothesis

Detects registry persistence technique using the GlobalFlags and SilentProcessExit keys

Detection Rule

Sigma (Original)

title: Potential Persistence Via GlobalFlags
id: 36803969-5421-41ec-b92f-8500f79c23b0
related:
    - id: c81fe886-cac0-4913-a511-2822d72ff505
      type: obsolete
status: test
description: Detects registry persistence technique using the GlobalFlags and SilentProcessExit keys
references:
    - https://oddvar.moe/2018/04/10/persistence-using-globalflags-in-image-file-execution-options-hidden-from-autoruns-exe/
    - https://www.deepinstinct.com/2021/02/16/lsass-memory-dumps-are-stealthier-than-ever-before-part-2/
author: Karneades, Jonhnathan Ribeiro, Florian Roth
date: 2018-04-11
modified: 2023-06-05
tags:
    - attack.privilege-escalation
    - attack.persistence
    - attack.t1546.012
    - car.2013-01-002
logsource:
    category: registry_set
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_global_flag:
        TargetObject|contains|all:
            - '\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\'
            - '\Image File Execution Options\'
            - '\GlobalFlag'
    selection_silent_process:
        TargetObject|contains|all:
            - '\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\'
            - '\SilentProcessExit\'
        TargetObject|contains:
            - '\ReportingMode'
            - '\MonitorProcess'
    condition: 1 of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

KQL (Azure Sentinel)

imRegistry
| where (RegistryKey endswith "\\Microsoft\\Windows NT\\CurrentVersion*" and RegistryKey endswith "\\Image File Execution Options*" and RegistryKey contains "\\GlobalFlag") or ((RegistryKey endswith "\\Microsoft\\Windows NT\\CurrentVersion*" and RegistryKey endswith "\\SilentProcessExit*") and (RegistryKey contains "\\ReportingMode" or RegistryKey contains "\\MonitorProcess"))

KQL (Microsoft 365 Defender)

DeviceRegistryEvents
| where (RegistryKey endswith "\\Microsoft\\Windows NT\\CurrentVersion*" and RegistryKey endswith "\\Image File Execution Options*" and RegistryKey contains "\\GlobalFlag") or ((RegistryKey endswith "\\Microsoft\\Windows NT\\CurrentVersion*" and RegistryKey endswith "\\SilentProcessExit*") and (RegistryKey contains "\\ReportingMode" or RegistryKey contains "\\MonitorProcess"))

Required Data Sources

False Positive Guidance

• Unknown

MITRE ATT&CK Context

• Tactic: Privilege Escalation
• Tactic: Persistence
• Technique: T1546.012 — T1546.012

References

• https://oddvar.moe/2018/04/10/persistence-using-globalflags-in-image-file-execution-options-hidden-from-autoruns-exe/
• https://www.deepinstinct.com/2021/02/16/lsass-memory-dumps-are-stealthier-than-ever-before-part-2/
• SigmaHQ Rule