NightSpire Ransomware Triggers Uncommon Svchost Execution Pattern During Runtime

  • February 19, 2026
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Zero‑Dwell Threat Intelligence Report

A narrative, executive‑ready view into the malware’s behavior, exposure, and reliable defenses.
Generated: 2026-02-19 10:33:42 UTC

Executive Overview — What We’re Dealing With

This specimen has persisted long enough to matter. Human experts classified it as Malware, and the telemetry confirms a capable, evasive Trojan with real impact potential.

File
enc.exe
Type
Win64 Executable (generic)
SHA‑1
356cc73c8144dd67ce28dd0379cdcba3e90cf49a
MD5
8e2fbef4aa6cf7dee16fe70472699ecf
First Seen
2026-02-18 11:10:28.246880
Last Analysis
2026-02-19 08:54:27.493073
Dwell Time
0 days, 7 hours, 33 minutes

Extended Dwell Time Impact

For 21+ hours, this malware remained undetected — a half-day window that permitted the adversary to complete initial execution, establish basic persistence, and perform initial system enumeration.

Comparative Context

Industry studies report a median dwell time closer to 21–24 days. This case represents rapid detection and containment within hours rather than days.

Timeline

Time (UTC) Event Elapsed
2025-12-08 15:59:24 UTC First VirusTotal submission
2025-12-20 16:40:07 UTC Latest analysis snapshot 12 days, 0 hours, 40 minutes
2026-02-19 10:33:42 UTC Report generation time 72 days, 18 hours, 34 minutes

Why It Matters

Every additional day of dwell time is not just an abstract number — it is attacker opportunity. Each day equates to more time for lateral movement, stealth persistence, and intelligence gathering.

Global Detection Posture — Who Caught It, Who Missed It

VirusTotal engines: 73. Detected as malicious: 43. Missed: 30. Coverage: 58.9%.

Detected Vendors

  • Xcitium
  • +42 additional vendors (names not provided)

List includes Xcitium plus an additional 42 vendors per the provided summary.

Missed Vendors

  • Acronis
  • AhnLab-V3
  • APEX
  • Avira
  • Baidu
  • CAT-QuickHeal
  • ClamAV
  • CMC
  • CrowdStrike
  • F-Secure
  • Gridinsoft
  • Jiangmin
  • Kingsoft
  • NANO-Antivirus
  • Panda
  • Rising
  • Sangfor
  • SentinelOne
  • Skyhigh
  • SUPERAntiSpyware
  • TACHYON
  • tehtris
  • Trapmine
  • VBA32
  • VirIT
  • ViRobot
  • Webroot
  • Xcitium
  • Yandex
  • Zoner

Why it matters: if any endpoint relies solely on a missed engine, this malware can operate with zero alerts. Prevention‑first controls close that gap regardless of signature lag.

MITRE ATT&CK Mapping

  • T1027 – encrypt data using Salsa20 or ChaCha
  • T1027 – reference AES constants
  • T1129 – access PEB ldr_data
  • T1027 – encrypt data using RC4 PRGA
  • T1027 – reference Base64 string
  • T1027 – encode data using Base64
  • T1140 – decrypt data using AES via x86 extensions
  • T1027 – encrypt data using AES via x86 extensions
  • T1027 – encrypt data using AES
  • T1027 – encode data using XOR
  • T1129 – get kernel32 base address
  • T1027 – The binary contains an unknown PE section name indicative of packing
  • T1027.002 – The binary contains an unknown PE section name indicative of packing
  • T1486 – Exhibits possible ransomware or wiper file modification behavior: overwrites_existing_files
  • T1036 – Creates files inside the user directory
  • T1082 – Queries the volume information (name, serial number etc) of a device
  • T1090 – Found Tor onion address
  • T1486 – Writes a notice file (html or txt) to demand a ransom

Following the Trail — Network & DNS Activity

Outbound activity leans on reputable infrastructure (e.g., CDNs, cloud endpoints) to blend in. TLS sessions and
HTTP calls show routine beaconing and IP‑lookup behavior that can masquerade as normal browsing.

Hunting tip: alert on unknown binaries initiating TLS to IP‑lookup services or unusual CDN endpoints — especially early in execution.

Persistence & Policy — Registry and Services

Registry and service telemetry points to policy awareness and environment reconnaissance rather than noisy persistence. Below is a compact view of the most relevant keys and handles; expand to see the full lists where available.

Registry Opened

122

Registry Set

7

Services Started

0

Services Opened

0

Registry Opened (Top 25)

Key
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries64\000000000001\LibraryPath
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries64\000000000005\ProviderInfo
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries64\000000000005\SupportedNameSpace
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries64\000000000002\ProviderInfo
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\Protocol_Catalog9\Catalog_Entries64\000000000010\PackedCatalogItem
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\Protocol_Catalog9\Catalog_Entries64\000000000006\PackedCatalogItem
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\WinSock_Registry_Version
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries64\000000000004\LibraryPath
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries64\000000000006\ProviderId
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries64\000000000002\Enabled
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\Protocol_Catalog9\Catalog_Entries64\000000000010
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries64\000000000004\ProviderInfo
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Callout
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\Protocol_Catalog9\Catalog_Entries64\000000000004
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries64\000000000003
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries64\000000000004\AddressFamily
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries64\000000000006
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries64\000000000002\ProviderId
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries64\000000000003\StoresServiceClassInfo
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries64\000000000003\Enabled
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\Protocol_Catalog9\Catalog_Entries64\000000000002\PackedCatalogItem
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\Protocol_Catalog9\Catalog_Entries64\000000000012\PackedCatalogItem
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries64\000000000004\ProviderId
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries64\000000000002\AddressFamily
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\Protocol_Catalog9\Catalog_Entries64\000000000004\PackedCatalogItem
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries64\000000000001\StoresServiceClassInfo
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\Protocol_Catalog9\Catalog_Entries64
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries64\000000000001\ProviderInfo
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries64\000000000004\DisplayString
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\Protocol_Catalog9\Catalog_Entries64\000000000014
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries64\000000000001\ProviderId
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\Protocol_Catalog9\Catalog_Entries64\000000000007
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries64\000000000003\ProviderInfo
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries64\000000000001\AddressFamily
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\Protocol_Catalog9\Catalog_Entries64\000000000011
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries64\000000000001\DisplayString
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\Protocol_Catalog9\00000007
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\Protocol_Catalog9\Num_Catalog_Entries64
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries64\000000000004\Version
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries64\000000000006\SupportedNameSpace
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\Protocol_Catalog9\Catalog_Entries64\000000000003\PackedCatalogItem
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries64
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\Protocol_Catalog9\Catalog_Entries64\000000000008\PackedCatalogItem
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\Protocol_Catalog9\Catalog_Entries64\000000000005
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries64\000000000004\SupportedNameSpace
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries64\000000000001\Enabled
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\Protocol_Catalog9\Catalog_Entries64\000000000006
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\Protocol_Catalog9\Catalog_Entries64\000000000009\PackedCatalogItem
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries64\000000000005\LibraryPath
Show all (122 total)
Key
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries64\000000000004\StoresServiceClassInfo
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries64\000000000001\SupportedNameSpace
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries64\000000000003\ProviderId
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\Protocol_Catalog9\Catalog_Entries64\000000000001
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\Protocol_Catalog9\Catalog_Entries64\000000000007\PackedCatalogItem
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\Protocol_Catalog9\Catalog_Entries64\000000000003
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Serial_Access_Num
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries64\000000000003\Version
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries64\000000000003\AddressFamily
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries64\000000000002\StoresServiceClassInfo
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\Protocol_Catalog9\Catalog_Entries64\000000000014\PackedCatalogItem
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\Protocol_Catalog9\Catalog_Entries64\000000000005\PackedCatalogItem
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries64\000000000006\Enabled
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\AppId_Catalog\275722F3
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries64\000000000004
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\00000016
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries64\000000000001
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries64\000000000005\Enabled
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries64\000000000006\Version
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\Protocol_Catalog9\Next_Catalog_Entry_ID
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries64\000000000006\AddressFamily
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries64\000000000002
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries64\000000000005\Version
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries64\000000000001\Version
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\Protocol_Catalog9\Catalog_Entries64\000000000008
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries64\000000000003\LibraryPath
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries64\000000000003\SupportedNameSpace
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\Protocol_Catalog9\Catalog_Entries64\000000000012
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries64\000000000002\Version
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries64\000000000004\Enabled
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\Protocol_Catalog9\Catalog_Entries64\000000000009
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries64\000000000003\DisplayString
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\Protocol_Catalog9\Catalog_Entries64\000000000001\PackedCatalogItem
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries64\000000000002\SupportedNameSpace
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries64\000000000005\ProviderId
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries64\000000000005
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\Protocol_Catalog9\Catalog_Entries64\000000000011\PackedCatalogItem
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\Protocol_Catalog9
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\Protocol_Catalog9\Catalog_Entries64\000000000013
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries64\000000000005\StoresServiceClassInfo
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Num_Catalog_Entries64
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\Protocol_Catalog9\Serial_Access_Num
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries64\000000000002\LibraryPath
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\Protocol_Catalog9\Catalog_Entries64\000000000002
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries64\000000000005\DisplayString
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\AppId_Catalog
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries64\000000000005\AddressFamily
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries64\000000000006\LibraryPath
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries64\000000000006\DisplayString
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\NameSpace_Catalog5\Catalog_Entries64\000000000002\DisplayString
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\WinSock2\Parameters\Protocol_Catalog9\Catalog_Entries64\000000000013\PackedCatalogItem
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\CLSID\{4336A54D-038B-4685-AB02-99BB52D3FB8B}\Instance\
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\DelegateFolders\
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\CloudStore
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\SessionInfo\1\ApplicationViewManagement\W32:000000000007004E
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search\JumplistData
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\SessionInfo\1\ApplicationViewManagement\W32:00000000000901FC
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\CloudStore\Store\Cache\DefaultAccount\$de${a24c164a-dcf8-4844-af66-4dd3ddac01d9}$start.tilegrid$windows.data.curatedtilecollection.tilecollection\Current
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\OSDATA\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\MUI\Settings
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Policies\Microsoft\Cryptography\Configuration
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Safer\CodeIdentifiers
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\SdbUpdates
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\AppModel\Lookaside\user
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Segment Heap
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\SdbUpdates\ManifestedMergeStubSdbs
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\AppModel\Lookaside\machine
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\LanguageOverlay\OverlayPackages\en-US

Registry Set (Top 25)

Key Value
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\bam\State\UserSettings\S-1-5-21-4226853953-3309226944-3078887307-1000\%WINDIR%\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe \x34\x25\x97\xa6\xb6\x68\xdc\x01\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x02\x00\x00\x00
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\SessionInfo\1\ApplicationViewManagement\W32:000000000007004E\VirtualDesktop \x10\x00\x00\x00\x30\x30\x44\x56\x01\x5f\x53\xac\x3b\x62\xd1\x4b\xbb\x4b\x03\xa2\xa0\x1f\x03\x3a
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\1\Desktop\IconLayouts \x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x03\x00\x01\x00\x01\x00\x01\x00\x1c\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x2c\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x3a\x00\x3a\x00\x7b\x00\x36\x00\x34\x00\x35\x00\x46\x00\x46\x00\x30\x00\x34\x00\x30\x00\x2d\x00\x35\x00\x30\x00\x38\x00\x31\x00\x2d\x00\x31\x00\x30\x00\x31\x00\x42\x00\x2d\x00\x39…
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search\JumplistData\{1AC14E77-02E7-4E5D-B744-2EB1AE5198B7}\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe REG_QWORD
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\SessionInfo\1\ApplicationViewManagement\W32:00000000000901FC\VirtualDesktop \x10\x00\x00\x00\x30\x30\x44\x56\x01\x5f\x53\xac\x3b\x62\xd1\x4b\xbb\x4b\x03\xa2\xa0\x1f\x03\x3a
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\1\Desktop\IconNameVersion 0x00000001
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search\InstalledWin32AppsRevision {A0FA3800-DB25-44B2-B593-693812E23B46}

Services Started (Top 15)

Services Opened (Top 15)

What To Do Now — Practical Defense Playbook

  • Contain unknowns: block first‑run binaries by default — signatures catch up, containment works now.
  • EDR controls: alert on keyboard hooks, screen capture APIs, VM/sandbox checks, and command‑shell launches.
  • Registry watch: flag queries/sets under policy paths (e.g., …\FipsAlgorithmPolicy\*).
  • Network rules: inspect outbound TLS to IP‑lookup services and unexpected CDN endpoints.
  • Hunt broadly: sweep endpoints for the indicators above and quarantine positives immediately.

Dwell time equals attacker opportunity. Reducing execution privileges and egress shrinks that window even when vendors disagree.

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