Disable Internal Tools or Feature in Registry

testmedium
log source: windows · registry_setauthor frack113, Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), CrimpSecdate 2022-03-18
01

description

What this is, in brief.

Detects registry modifications that change features of internal Windows tools (malware like Agent Tesla uses this technique)

02

tags

attack.persistenceattack.defense-impairmentattack.t1112
03

rule source (YAML)

title: Disable Internal Tools or Feature in Registry
id: e2482f8d-3443-4237-b906-cc145d87a076
related:
    - id: 1c3121ed-041b-4d97-a075-07f54f20fb4a
      type: obsolete
    - id: ccc946a3-f65a-432a-bb6f-efc6acc1fd27
      type: similar
status: test
description: Detects registry modifications that change features of internal Windows tools (malware like Agent Tesla uses this technique)
references:
    - https://bazaar.abuse.ch/sample/7bde840c7e8c36dce4c3bac937bcf39f36a6f118001b406bfbbc25451ce44fb4/
    - https://blogs.vmware.com/security/2022/11/batloader-the-evasive-downloader-malware.html
    - https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/detections/pum-optional-nodispbackgroundpage
    - https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/detections/pum-optional-nodispcpl
    - https://www.mandiant.com/resources/unc2165-shifts-to-evade-sanctions
    - https://www.sentinelone.com/blog/cybervolk-returns-flawed-volklocker-brings-new-features-with-growing-pains/
author: frack113, Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), CrimpSec
date: 2022-03-18
modified: 2026-10-18
tags:
    - attack.persistence
    - attack.defense-impairment
    - attack.t1112
logsource:
    category: registry_set
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_set_1:
        TargetObject|endswith:
            - 'SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\DisableCMD'
            - 'SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\HideSCAHealth'
            - 'SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\HideSCANetwork'
            - 'SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\HideSCAVolume'
            - 'SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\NoClose'
            - 'SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\NoControlPanel'
            - 'SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\NoDesktop'
            - 'SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\NoDrives'
            - 'SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\NoFileMenu'
            - 'SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\NoFind'
            - 'SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\NoLogOff'
            - 'SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\NoPropertiesMyDocuments'
            - 'SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\NoRun'
            - 'SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\NoSetTaskbar'
            - 'SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\NoTrayContextMenu'
            - 'SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\StartMenuLogOff'
            - 'SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System\DisableChangePassword'
            - 'SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System\DisableLockWorkstation'
            - 'SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System\DisableRegistryTools'
            - 'SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System\DisableTaskmgr'
            - 'SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System\NoDispBackgroundPage'
            - 'SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System\NoDispCPL'
            - 'SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer\DisableNotificationCenter'
            - 'SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System\DisableCMD'
        Details: 'DWORD (0x00000001)'
    selection_set_2:
        TargetObject|endswith: 'SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System\DisableCMD'
        Details: 'DWORD (0x00000002)'
    selection_set_0:
        TargetObject|endswith:
            - 'SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System\ConsentPromptBehaviorAdmin'
            - 'SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System\InactivityTimeoutSecs'
            - 'SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System\shutdownwithoutlogon'
            - 'SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\PushNotifications\ToastEnabled'
            - 'SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Storage\Write Protection'
            - 'SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\StorageDevicePolicies\WriteProtect'
        Details: 'DWORD (0x00000000)'
    condition: 1 of selection_set_*
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate script or Group Policy (GPO) configuration by administrators
level: medium
simulation:
    - type: atomic-red-team
      name: Disable Windows Registry Tool
      technique: T1112
      atomic_guid: ac34b0f7-0f85-4ac0-b93e-3ced2bc69bb8
    - type: atomic-red-team
      name: Disable Windows CMD application
      technique: T1112
      atomic_guid: d2561a6d-72bd-408c-b150-13efe1801c2a
    - type: atomic-red-team
      name: Disable Windows Task Manager application
      technique: T1112
      atomic_guid: af254e70-dd0e-4de6-9afe-a994d9ea8b62
    - type: atomic-red-team
      name: Disable Windows Notification Center
      technique: T1112
      atomic_guid: c0d6d67f-1f63-42cc-95c0-5fd6b20082ad
    - type: atomic-red-team
      name: Disable Windows Lock Workstation Feature
      technique: T1112
      atomic_guid: 3dacb0d2-46ee-4c27-ac1b-f9886bf91a56
    - type: atomic-red-team
      name: Disable Windows Change Password Feature
      technique: T1112
      atomic_guid: d4a6da40-618f-454d-9a9e-26af552aaeb0
    - type: atomic-red-team
      name: Disable Windows Shutdown Button
      technique: T1112
      atomic_guid: 6e0d1131-2d7e-4905-8ca5-d6172f05d03d
regression_tests_path: regression_data/rules/windows/registry/registry_set/registry_set_disable_function_user/info.yml
04

detects techniques (1)

ATT&CK techniques this enables or maps to.

05

references

External citations — patches, advisories, analysis.