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Windows Credential Guard Related Registry Value Deleted - Registry

Detects attempts to disable Windows Credential Guard by deleting registry values. Credential Guard uses virtualization-based security to isolate secrets so that only privileged system software can access them. Adversaries may disable Credential Guard to gain access to sensitive credentials stored in the system, such as NTLM hashes and Kerberos tickets, which can be used for lateral movement and privilege escalation.

MITRE ATT&CK

T1685

Detection Query

selection:
  TargetObject|endswith:
    - \DeviceGuard\EnableVirtualizationBasedSecurity
    - \DeviceGuard\LsaCfgFlags
    - \DeviceGuard\RequirePlatformSecurityFeatures
    - \Lsa\LsaCfgFlags
condition: selection

Author

Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel (Nextron Systems)

Created

2025-12-26

Data Sources

windowsRegistry Delete Events

Platforms

windows

References

Tags

attack.defense-impairmentattack.t1685

Raw Content

title: Windows Credential Guard Related Registry Value Deleted - Registry
id: d645ef86-2396-48a1-a2b6-b629ca3f57ff
related:
    - id: c17d47b7-dcd6-4109-87eb-d1817bd4cbc9
      type: similar
status: experimental
description: |
    Detects attempts to disable Windows Credential Guard by deleting registry values. Credential Guard uses virtualization-based security to isolate secrets so that only privileged system software can access them.
    Adversaries may disable Credential Guard to gain access to sensitive credentials stored in the system, such as NTLM hashes and Kerberos tickets, which can be used for lateral movement and privilege escalation.
references:
    - https://github.com/DambergC/SaveFolder/blob/90e945eba80fae85f2d54b4616e05a44ec90c500/Cygate%20Installation%20tool%206.22/Script/OSD/OSDeployment-CredentialGuardDisable.ps1#L50
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/identity-protection/credential-guard/configure
author: Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel (Nextron Systems)
date: 2025-12-26
tags:
    - attack.defense-impairment
    - attack.t1685
logsource:
    category: registry_delete
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        TargetObject|endswith:
            - '\DeviceGuard\EnableVirtualizationBasedSecurity'
            - '\DeviceGuard\LsaCfgFlags'
            - '\DeviceGuard\RequirePlatformSecurityFeatures'
            - '\Lsa\LsaCfgFlags'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Unlikely
level: high
regression_tests_path: regression_data/rules/windows/registry/registry_delete/registry_delete_disable_credential_guard/info.yml