Windows Credential Editor Registry

Hunt Hypothesis

Detects the use of Windows Credential Editor (WCE)

Detection Rule

Sigma (Original)

title: Windows Credential Editor Registry
id: a6b33c02-8305-488f-8585-03cb2a7763f2
status: test
description: Detects the use of Windows Credential Editor (WCE)
references:
    - https://www.ampliasecurity.com/research/windows-credentials-editor/
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems)
date: 2019-12-31
modified: 2021-11-27
tags:
    - attack.credential-access
    - attack.t1003.001
    - attack.s0005
logsource:
    category: registry_event
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        TargetObject|contains: Services\WCESERVICE\Start
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: critical

KQL (Azure Sentinel)

imRegistry
| where RegistryKey contains "Services\\WCESERVICE\\Start"

KQL (Microsoft 365 Defender)

DeviceRegistryEvents
| where RegistryKey contains "Services\\WCESERVICE\\Start"

Required Data Sources

False Positive Guidance

• Unknown

MITRE ATT&CK Context

• Tactic: Credential Access
• Technique: T1003.001 — T1003.001

References

• https://www.ampliasecurity.com/research/windows-credentials-editor/
• SigmaHQ Rule