BIOC Medium

Manipulation of Winlogon 'UserInit' autostart Registry key

Winlogon process uses the value specified in the UserInit key to launch login scripts etc. This key is location at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon. Usually, UserInit key points to userinit.exe but if this key can be altered, then that EXE will also launch by Winlogon.

Module:
Platform Analytics
Agent event type:
Registry
Category:
Persistence
Status:
Enabled
ATT&CK tactics: Persistence (TA0003)
ATT&CK techniques: Boot or Logon Autostart Execution: Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder (T1547.001)
Indicator:

Registry action type = all AND registry key name = *\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Userinit Host host os = windows

Preventable: yes