Detect Registry and Startup Folder Persistence (Windows)

ID: DET0365
Domains: Enterprise
Analytics: AN1032
Version: 1.0
Created: 21 October 2025
Last Modified: 21 October 2025

Analytics

AN1032

Correlation of Registry key creation/modification events under known Run/Startup keys with new or unusual binary paths or script-based payloads. Multi-event detection includes registry modification followed by process execution from non-standard directories or abnormal parent-child process relationships.

Log Sources
Data Component Name Channel
Process Creation (DC0032) WinEventLog:Sysmon EventCode=1
Windows Registry Key Modification (DC0063) WinEventLog:Sysmon EventCode=13
File Creation (DC0039) WinEventLog:Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Core New startup folder shortcut or binary placed in Startup directory
Mutable Elements
Field Description
ImagePath Full path of the binary/script being registered in Run keys. Tunable to exclude known software baselines.
RegistryKeyPath Tunable list of startup-related registry keys to monitor more/less aggressively based on enterprise software context.
TimeWindow Correlate registry key creation and process execution within this window. Defaults between 5–10 minutes.
UserContext Filter for specific user SIDs or exclude known admin/script accounts.