Add DefaultUser And Password In Registry
The following analytic detects suspicious registry modifications that implement auto admin logon by adding DefaultUserName and DefaultPassword values. It leverages data from the Endpoint.Registry data model,…
Description
The following analytic detects suspicious registry modifications that implement auto admin logon by adding DefaultUserName and DefaultPassword values. It leverages data from the Endpoint.Registry data model, specifically monitoring changes to the "SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon" registry path. This activity is significant because it is associated with BlackMatter ransomware, which uses this technique to automatically log on to compromised hosts and continue encryption after a safe mode boot. If confirmed malicious, this could allow attackers to maintain persistence and further encrypt the network, leading to significant data loss and operational disruption.
Detection logic
Detection requirements
- Platform
- Windows
The rule states no platform. This is derived from the ATT&CK technique it maps to.
- Log source category
- sysmon_eventid_12sysmon_eventid_13
Known benign triggers
- No false positives have been identified at this time.
MITRE ATT&CK mappings
0 exclusive techniques.This is coverage no other published rule has; it is not this rule's total technique count.
References
| Reference | Cited by |
|---|---|
| news.sophos.com/en-us/2021/08/09/blackmatter-ransomware-emerges-from-the-shadow-of-darkside/ | 5 |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- d4a3eb62-0f1e-11ec-a971-acde48001122
- Tagged by the source as
- BlackMatter RansomwareEndpointendpointSplunk CloudSplunk EnterpriseSplunk Enterprise Securityendpoint
Licence
- Published under
- Apache License 2.0Read the licence
- Attribution
- Required
- Obtained under
- Apache-2.0Read the origin licence
Authorship
- Written by
- Published
- Aug 26, 2026
- Version
- 1