t1012-query-registry

name	T1012_query-registry
description	Adversaries may interact with the Windows Registry to gather information about the system, configuration, and installed software.
category	information-gathering
version	18.1
author	cyberstrike-official
tags	["mitre-attack","enterprise","t1012","discovery","windows"]
technique_id	T1012
tactic	discovery
all_tactics	["discovery"]
platforms	["Windows"]
mitre_url	https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1012
tech_stack	["windows"]
cwe_ids	["CWE-200"]
chains_with	[]
prerequisites	[]
severity_boost	{}

T1012 Query Registry

High-Level Description

Adversaries may interact with the Windows Registry to gather information about the system, configuration, and installed software.

The Registry contains a significant amount of information about the operating system, configuration, software, and security. Information can easily be queried using the Reg utility, though other means to access the Registry exist. Some of the information may help adversaries to further their operation within a network. Adversaries may use the information from Query Registry during automated discovery to shape follow-on behaviors, including whether or not the adversary fully infects the target and/or attempts specific actions.

Kill Chain Phase

• Discovery (TA0007)

Platforms: Windows

What to Check

• Identify if Query Registry technique is applicable to target environment
• Check Windows systems for indicators of Query Registry
• Assess detection coverage (1 detection strategies)

How to Test

Atomic Red Team Tests

The following tests are from Atomic Red Team and provide actionable ways to test this technique:

Atomic Test 1: Query Registry

Query Windows Registry. Upon successful execution, cmd.exe will perform multiple reg queries. Some will succeed and others will fail (dependent upon OS). References: https://blog.cylance.com/windows-registry-persistence-part-2-the-run-keys-and-search-order https://blog.cylance.com/windows-registry-persistence-part-1-introduction-attack-phases-and-windows-services http://www.handgrep.se/repository/cheatsheets/postexploitation/WindowsPost-Exploitation.pdf https://www.offensive-security.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/wp.Registry_Quick_Find_Chart.en_us.pdf

Supported Platforms: windows Elevation Required: Yes

reg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows"
reg query HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServicesOnce
reg query HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServicesOnce
reg query HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices
reg query HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices
reg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Notify"
reg query "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Userinit"
reg query "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\\Shell"
reg query "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\\Shell"
reg query HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ShellServiceObjectDelayLoad
reg query HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
reg query HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnceEx
reg query HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
reg query HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
reg query HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
reg query HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\Run
reg query HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\Run
reg query HKLM\system\currentcontrolset\services /s | findstr ImagePath 2>nul | findstr /Ri ".*\.sys$"
reg query HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
reg query HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot
reg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Active Setup\Installed Components"
reg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Group Policy\Scripts\Startup"