Potential PendingFileRenameOperations Tampering — Sigma Rule

{
  "category": "registry_set",
  "product": "windows"
}

title: Potential PendingFileRenameOperations Tampering
id: 4eec988f-7bf0-49f1-8675-1e6a510b3a2a
status: test
description: |
    Detect changes to the "PendingFileRenameOperations" registry key from uncommon or suspicious images locations to stage currently used files for rename or deletion after reboot.
references:
    - https://any.run/report/3ecd4763ffc944fdc67a9027e459cd4f448b1a8d1b36147977afaf86bbf2a261/64b0ba45-e7ce-423b-9a1d-5b4ea59521e6
    - https://devblogs.microsoft.com/scripting/determine-pending-reboot-statuspowershell-style-part-1/
    - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-2000-server/cc960241(v=technet.10)?redirectedfrom=MSDN
    - https://www.trendmicro.com/en_us/research/21/j/purplefox-adds-new-backdoor-that-uses-websockets.html
    - https://www.trendmicro.com/en_us/research/19/i/purple-fox-fileless-malware-with-rookit-component-delivered-by-rig-exploit-kit-now-abuses-powershell.html
author: frack113
date: 2023-01-27
modified: 2025-10-07
tags:
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1036.003
logsource:
    category: registry_set
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_main:
        TargetObject|contains: '\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\PendingFileRenameOperations'
    selection_susp_paths:
        Image|contains: '\Users\Public\'
            # - '\AppData\Local\Temp\'  # Commented out as it's used by legitimate installers
    selection_susp_images:
        Image|endswith:
            - '\reg.exe'
            - '\regedit.exe'
    condition: selection_main and 1 of selection_susp_*
falsepositives:
    - Installers and updaters may set currently in use files for rename or deletion after a reboot.
level: medium