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Periodic Backup For System Registry Hives Enabled

Detects the enabling of the "EnablePeriodicBackup" registry value. Once enabled, The OS will backup System registry hives on restarts to the "C:\Windows\System32\config\RegBack" folder. Windows creates a "RegIdleBackup" task to manage subsequent backups. Registry backup was a default behavior on Windows and was disabled as of "Windows 10, version 1803".

MITRE ATT&CK

T1113
collection

Detection Query

selection:
  TargetObject|endswith: \Control\Session Manager\Configuration Manager\EnablePeriodicBackup
  Details: DWORD (0x00000001)
condition: selection

Author

Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)

Created

2024-07-01

Data Sources

windowsRegistry Set Events

Platforms

windows

References

Tags

attack.collectionattack.t1113
Raw Content
title: Periodic Backup For System Registry Hives Enabled
id: 973ef012-8f1a-4c40-93b4-7e659a5cd17f
status: test
description: |
    Detects the enabling of the "EnablePeriodicBackup" registry value. Once enabled, The OS will backup System registry hives on restarts to the "C:\Windows\System32\config\RegBack" folder. Windows creates a "RegIdleBackup" task to manage subsequent backups.
    Registry backup was a default behavior on Windows and was disabled as of "Windows 10, version 1803".
references:
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-client/installing-updates-features-roles/system-registry-no-backed-up-regback-folder
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
date: 2024-07-01
tags:
    - attack.collection
    - attack.t1113
logsource:
    category: registry_set
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        TargetObject|endswith: '\Control\Session Manager\Configuration Manager\EnablePeriodicBackup'
        Details: 'DWORD (0x00000001)'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate need for RegBack feature by administrators.
level: medium