Windows RDP Server Registry Entry Created
This detection identifies the creation of registry keys under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Terminal Server Client\Servers\, which occur when a user initiates a Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) connection using…
Description
This detection identifies the creation of registry keys under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Terminal Server Client\Servers\, which occur when a user initiates a Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) connection using the built-in Windows RDP client (mstsc.exe). These registry entries store information about previously connected remote hosts, including usernames and display settings. Their creation is a strong indicator that an outbound RDP session was initiated from the system. While the presence of these keys is normal during legitimate RDP use, their appearance can be used to track remote access activity, especially in environments where RDP is tightly controlled. In post-compromise scenarios, these artifacts may be created by threat actors using RDP for lateral movement or command-and-control. Monitoring the creation of these registry entries can help defenders detect initial use of RDP from a compromised host, particularly when correlated with unusual user behavior, logon patterns, or network 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_13
Known benign triggers
- False positives will be present, filter as needed or restrict to critical assets on the perimeter.
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 |
|---|---|
| medium.com/@bonguides25/how-to-clear-rdp-connections-history-in-windows-cf0ffb67f344 | 10 |
| thelocalh0st.github.io/posts/rdp/ | 10 |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- 61f10919-c360-4e56-9cda-f1f34500cfda
- Tagged by the source as
- Windows RDP Artifacts and Defense EvasionEndpointendpointSplunk 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