Startup Folder Persistence via Unsigned Process

Identifies files written or modified in the startup folder by unsigned processes. Adversaries may abuse this technique to maintain persistence in an environment.

Rule type: eql

Rule indices:

logs-endpoint.events.*

Severity: medium

Risk score: 41

Runs every: 5 minutes

Searches indices from: now-9m (Date Math format, see also Additional look-back time)

Maximum alerts per execution: 100

Tags:

Elastic
Host
Windows
Threat Detection
Persistence

Version: 2 (version history)

Added (Elastic Stack release): 7.11.0

Last modified (Elastic Stack release): 7.12.0

Rule authors: Elastic

Rule license: Elastic License v2

Rule query

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sequence by host.id, process.entity_id with maxspan=5s [process
where event.type in ("start", "process_started") and
process.code_signature.trusted == false and /* suspicious paths can
be added here */ process.executable : ("C:\\Users\\*.exe",
"C:\\ProgramData\\*.exe",
"C:\\Windows\\Temp\\*.exe",
"C:\\Windows\\Tasks\\*.exe",
"C:\\Intel\\*.exe", "C:\\PerfLogs\\*.exe")
] [file where event.type != "deletion" and user.domain != "NT
AUTHORITY" and file.path :
("C:\\Users\\*\\AppData\\Roaming\\Microsoft\\Windows\\Start
Menu\\Programs\\Startup\\*",
"C:\\ProgramData\\Microsoft\\Windows\\Start
Menu\\Programs\\StartUp\\*") ]

Threat mapping

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Framework: MITRE ATT&CK^TM

Tactic:
- Name: Persistence
- ID: TA0003
- Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0003/
Technique:
- Name: Boot or Logon Autostart Execution
- ID: T1547
- Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1547/

Rule version history

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Version 2 (7.12.0 release)

Formatting only

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