VBScript Payload Stored in Registry

SIGMA detection rule by Florian Roth (Nextron Systems) · NOASSERTION

Detects VBScript content stored into registry keys as seen being used by UNC2452 group

title: VBScript Payload Stored in Registry
id: 46490193-1b22-4c29-bdd6-5bf63907216f
status: test
description: Detects VBScript content stored into registry keys as seen being used by UNC2452 group
references:
    - https://www.microsoft.com/security/blog/2021/03/04/goldmax-goldfinder-sibot-analyzing-nobelium-malware/
author: Florian Roth (Nextron Systems)
date: 2021-03-05
modified: 2023-08-17
tags:
    - attack.privilege-escalation
    - attack.persistence
    - attack.t1547.001
logsource:
    category: registry_set
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        TargetObject|contains: 'Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion'
        Details|contains:
            - 'vbscript:'
            - 'jscript:'
            - 'mshtml,'
            - 'RunHTMLApplication'
            - 'Execute('
            - 'CreateObject'
            - 'window.close'
    filter:
        TargetObject|contains: 'Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run'
    filter_dotnet:
        Image|endswith: '\msiexec.exe'
        TargetObject|contains: '\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UserData\'
        Details|contains:
            - '\Microsoft.NET\Primary Interop Assemblies\Microsoft.mshtml.dll'
            - '<\Microsoft.mshtml,fileVersion='
            - '_mshtml_dll_'
            - '<\Microsoft.mshtml,culture='
    condition: selection and not 1 of filter*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: high

[[ currentRule.title && currentRule.title.length > 60 ? currentRule.title.slice(0, 60) + '…' : currentRule.title ]]

a67a700c-a205-4c10-8b6b-0f0fe3589e5e

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Executable code, not a declarative rule

This submission is arbitrary [[ currentRule.format ? currentRule.format.toUpperCase() : '' ]] code, not a declarative detection rule — review it as you would any script before running it, and note that it cannot be safely aggregated or auto-executed alongside YARA/Sigma/Suricata/CRS rules.

Rejected pattern present

[[ reason ]]

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Format & documentation suggestions

Not a security issue — this rule is valid and was accepted as-is. These are optional fields/conventions its own format recommends, mainly affecting its quality score and how well it documents itself for other reviewers.

[[ reason ]]

What do these messages mean?

[[ currentRule.title && currentRule.title.length > 60 ? currentRule.title.slice(0, 60) + '…' : currentRule.title ]]

[[ currentRule.title ]]

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