Detects T1547.001 startup folder persistence by monitoring Windows startup directories for suspicious file creation, cross-referencing Autoruns entries, and running a Python watchdog script for real-time filesystem monitoring. Use when hunting for malware or implants that survive reboot via startup-folder placement, or when validating autoruns/EDR findings against known-good startup baselines.
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Use hunting-for-startup-folder-persistence to inspect [authorized Windows endpoints or startup-folder evidence] for startup-folder persistence, compare entries with [known-good startup baseline], and deliver a JSON report with file metadata, risk scores, suspicious indicators, and T1547.001 mapping.
Required inputs
[authorized Windows endpoints or startup-folder evidence]
[known-good startup baseline]
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SKILL.md
name: hunting-for-startup-folder-persistencedescription: Detects T1547.001 startup folder persistence by monitoring Windows startup directories for suspicious file creation, cross-referencing Autoruns entries, and running a Python watchdog script for real-time filesystem monitoring. Use when hunting for malware or implants that survive reboot via startup-folder placement, or when validating autoruns/EDR findings against known-good startup baselines.domain: cybersecuritysubdomain: threat-huntingtags: - threat-hunting- T1547.001- startup-folder- persistence- autoruns- watchdog- filesystem-monitoringversion: '1.0'author: mahipallicense: Apache-2.0d3fend_techniques: - Executable Denylisting- Execution Isolation- File Metadata Consistency Validation- Content Format Conversion- File Content Analysisnist_csf: - DE.CM-01- DE.AE-02- DE.AE-07- ID.RA-05mitre_attack: - T1046- T1057- T1082- T1083- T1547
Hunting for Startup Folder Persistence
Overview
Attackers use Windows startup folders for persistence (MITRE ATT&CK T1547.001 — Boot or Logon Autostart Execution: Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder). Files placed in %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup or C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup execute automatically at user logon. This skill scans startup directories for suspicious files, monitors for real-time changes using Python watchdog, and analyzes file metadata to detect persistence implants.
When to Use
When investigating security incidents that require hunting for startup folder persistence
When building detection rules or threat hunting queries for this domain
When SOC analysts need structured procedures for this analysis type
When validating security monitoring coverage for related attack techniques
Prerequisites
Python 3.9+ with watchdog, pefile (optional for PE analysis)
Access to Windows startup folders (user and all-users)
Windows Event Logs for Event ID 4663 correlation (optional)
Steps
Enumerate all files in user and system startup directories
Analyze file types, creation timestamps, and digital signatures
Flag suspicious file extensions (.bat, .vbs, .ps1, .lnk, .exe)
Check for recently created files (< 7 days) as potential implants
Monitor startup folders in real-time using watchdog FileSystemEventHandler
Correlate with known legitimate startup entries
Generate threat hunting report with T1547.001 MITRE mapping
Expected Output
JSON report listing all startup folder contents with risk scores, file metadata, and suspicious indicators
Real-time monitoring alerts for new file creation in startup directories