Detectionhightest

Uncommon Extension In Keyboard Layout IME File Registry Value

Detects usage of Windows Input Method Editor (IME) keyboard layout feature, which allows an attacker to load a DLL into the process after sending the WM_INPUTLANGCHANGEREQUEST message. Before doing this, the client needs to register the DLL in a special registry key that is assumed to implement this keyboard layout. This registry key should store a value named "Ime File" with a DLL path. IMEs are essential for languages that have more characters than can be represented on a standard keyboard, such as Chinese, Japanese, and Korean.

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Launch
X__Junior (Nextron Systems)Created Tue Nov 21b888e3f2-224d-4435-b00b-9dd66e9ea1f1windows
Log Source
WindowsRegistry Set
ProductWindows← raw: windows
CategoryRegistry Set← raw: registry_set
Detection Logic
Detection Logic2 selectors
detection:
    selection:
        TargetObject|contains|all:
            - '\Control\Keyboard Layouts\'
            - 'Ime File'
    filter_main_known_extension:
        Details|endswith: '.ime'
    condition: selection and not 1 of filter_main_*
False Positives

IMEs are essential for languages that have more characters than can be represented on a standard keyboard, such as Chinese, Japanese, and Korean.