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Windows ComputerDefaults Spawning a Process

The following analytic detects the spawning of ComputerDefaults.exe, a Windows system process used to manage default application associations. While normally legitimate, this process can be exploited by attackers to…

Description

The following analytic detects the spawning of ComputerDefaults.exe, a Windows system process used to manage default application associations. While normally legitimate, this process can be exploited by attackers to bypass User Account Control (UAC) and execute unauthorized code with elevated privileges. Detection focuses on abnormal execution patterns, unusual parent-child process relationships, or deviations from standard paths. Such behavior may indicate attempts to modify system defaults or run malicious scripts undetected. Monitoring ComputerDefaults.exe is critical to identify potential security threats, prevent privilege escalation, and maintain system integrity by distinguishing normal operations from suspicious activity.

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_1

Known benign triggers

  • No false positives have been identified at this time.

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