Access To .Reg/.Hive Files By Uncommon Applications

Detects file access requests to files ending with either the ".hive"/".reg" extension, usually associated with Windows Registry backups.

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Detection logic

selection

FileName|endswith:
  - .hive
  - .reg

filter_main_generic

Image|startswith:
  - C:\Program Files (x86)\
  - C:\Program Files\
  - C:\Windows\System32\
  - C:\Windows\SysWOW64\

Condition

selection and not 1 of filter_main_*

Raw YAML

title: Access To .Reg/.Hive Files By Uncommon Applications
id: 337a31c6-46c4-46be-886a-260d7aa78cac
status: test
description: Detects file access requests to files ending with either the ".hive"/".reg" extension, usually associated with Windows Registry backups.
references:
    - https://github.com/tccontre/Reg-Restore-Persistence-Mole
author: frack113
date: 2023-09-15
modified: 2024-07-29
tags:
    - attack.defense-impairment
    - attack.t1112
    - attack.persistence
    - detection.threat-hunting
logsource:
    category: file_access
    product: windows
    definition: 'Requirements: Microsoft-Windows-Kernel-File ETW provider'
detection:
    selection:
        FileName|endswith:
            - '.hive'
            - '.reg'
    filter_main_generic:
        Image|startswith:
            - 'C:\Program Files (x86)\'
            - 'C:\Program Files\'
            - 'C:\Windows\System32\'
            - 'C:\Windows\SysWOW64\'
    condition: selection and not 1 of filter_main_*
falsepositives:
    - Third party software installed in the user context might generate a lot of FPs. Heavy baselining and tuning might be required.
level: low