Registry Enumeration via WMI Stdregprov

experimentalmedium

log source: windows · process_creationauthor Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel (Nextron Systems)date 2025-07-30

description

What this is, in brief.

Detects the usage of wmic.exe to enumerate or read Windows registry via the WMI StdRegProv class read methods (EnumKey, EnumValues, GetStringValue, etc.). While registry reads are common, attackers may use this technique to perform reconnaissance and discover sensitive configuration values, credentials, or installed software. The use of WMI as an alternative to standard tools like reg.exe can indicate an attempt to evade detection focused on traditional registry query commands.

rule source (YAML)

title: Registry Enumeration via WMI Stdregprov
id: a0e417e2-2fa1-40da-b6d2-e094cd5e1191
related:
    - id: c453ab7a-1f5c-4716-a3b4-dea8135fb43a # Registry Manipulation via WMI Stdregprov
      type: similar
status: experimental
description: |
    Detects the usage of wmic.exe to enumerate or read Windows registry via the WMI StdRegProv class read methods (EnumKey, EnumValues, GetStringValue, etc.).
    While registry reads are common, attackers may use this technique to perform reconnaissance and discover sensitive configuration values, credentials, or installed software.
    The use of WMI as an alternative to standard tools like reg.exe can indicate an attempt to evade detection focused on traditional registry query commands.
references:
    - https://trustedsec.com/blog/command-line-underdog-wmic-in-action
    - https://trustedsec.com/blog/wmi-for-script-kiddies
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/desktop/regprov/stdregprov
author: Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel (Nextron Systems)
date: 2025-07-30
modified: 2026-06-19
tags:
    - attack.execution
    - attack.t1047
    - attack.discovery
    - attack.t1012
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_img:   # Example command simulated:  WMIC  /NameSpace:\\root\default Class StdRegProv Call EnumKey hDefKey=&H80000002 sSubKeyName="Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall"
        - Image|endswith: '\wmic.exe'
        - OriginalFileName: 'wmic.exe'
    selection_cli:
        CommandLine|contains|all:
            - 'stdregprov'
            - 'call'
        CommandLine|contains:
            - 'CheckAccess'
            - 'EnumKey'
            - 'EnumValues'
            - 'GetBinaryValue'
            - 'GetDWORDValue'
            - 'GetExpandedStringValue'
            - 'GetMultiStringValue'
            - 'GetQWORDValue'
            - 'GetSecurityDescriptor'
            - 'GetStringValue'
    condition: all of selection_*
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate administrative activity
level: medium

detects techniques (2)

ATT&CK techniques this enables or maps to.

references

External citations — patches, advisories, analysis.