title: Ke3chang Registry Key Modifications
id: 7b544661-69fc-419f-9a59-82ccc328f205
status: test
description: Detects Registry modifications performed by Ke3chang malware in campaigns running in 2019 and 2020
author: Markus Neis, Swisscom
references:
  - https://www.verfassungsschutz.de/embed/broschuere-2020-06-bfv-cyber-brief-2020-01.pdf
  - https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/operation-ke3chang-resurfaces-with-new-tidepool-malware/
date: 2020/06/18
modified: 2021/11/27
logsource:
  category: process_creation
  product: windows
detection:
  selection1:
        # Ke3chang and TidePool both modify the IEHarden registry key, as well as the following list of keys. 
        # Setting these registry keys is unique to the Ke3chang and TidePool malware families.
        # HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\Check_Associations
        # HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\DisableFirstRunCustomize
        # HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\ZoneMap\IEharden
    CommandLine|contains:
      - '-Property DWORD -name DisableFirstRunCustomize -value 2 -Force'
      - '-Property String -name Check_Associations -value'
      - '-Property DWORD -name IEHarden -value 0 -Force'
  condition: selection1
falsepositives:
  - Will need to be looked for combinations of those processes
level: critical
tags:
  - attack.g0004
  - attack.defense_evasion
  - attack.t1562.001
