> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/analytics-alerts/alerts-by-name/image-file-execution-options-ifeo-registry-key-set.md).
# Image file execution options (IFEO) registry key set
### Synopsis
| Field | Value |
| -------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Activation Period | 14 Days |
| Training Period | 30 Days |
| Test Period | N/A (single event) |
| Deduplication Period | 1 Day |
| Required Data | XDR Agent with eXtended Threat Hunting (XTH) |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Privilege Escalation (TA0004), Persistence (TA0003) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Event Triggered Execution: Image File Execution Options Injection (T1546.012) |
| Severity | Low |
### Description
Attackers may use the Image File Execution Options Registry key to launch their executable whenever the user attempts to execute a certain executable.
### Attacker's Goals
Adversaries may establish persistence and/or elevate privileges by executing malicious content triggered by Image File Execution Options debuggers.
### Investigative actions
* Check whether the executing process is benign and if this was a desired behavior as part of its normal execution flow.
* Look at the debugged process and what it is executing to determine if it is malicious.
### Variations
Image file execution options (IFEO) registry key set to execute a shell or scripting engine process
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Privilege Escalation (TA0004), Persistence (TA0003) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Event Triggered Execution: Image File Execution Options Injection (T1546.012) |
| Severity | High |
**Description**
Attackers may use the Image File Execution Options Registry key to launch their executable whenever the user attempts to execute a certain executable.
**Attacker's Goals**
Adversaries may establish persistence and/or elevate privileges by executing malicious content triggered by Image File Execution Options debuggers.
**Investigative actions**
* Check whether the executing process is benign and if this was a desired behavior as part of its normal execution flow.
* Look at the debugged process and what it is executing to determine if it is malicious.
Image file execution options (IFEO) registry key set to activate Windows licenses illegally
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Privilege Escalation (TA0004), Persistence (TA0003) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Event Triggered Execution: Image File Execution Options Injection (T1546.012) |
| Severity | Medium |
**Description**
Attackers may use the Image File Execution Options Registry key to launch their executable whenever the user attempts to execute a certain executable. This is also used by tools that were made to activate Windows licenses illegally.
**Attacker's Goals**
Adversaries may establish persistence and/or elevate privileges by executing malicious content triggered by Image File Execution Options debuggers.
**Investigative actions**
* Check whether the executing process is benign and if this was a desired behavior as part of its normal execution flow.
* Look at the debugged process and what it is executing to determine if it is malicious.
Image file execution options (IFEO) registry key set using reg.exe
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Privilege Escalation (TA0004), Persistence (TA0003) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Event Triggered Execution: Image File Execution Options Injection (T1546.012) |
| Severity | High |
**Description**
Attackers may use the Image File Execution Options Registry key to launch their executable whenever the user attempts to execute a certain executable.
**Attacker's Goals**
Adversaries may establish persistence and/or elevate privileges by executing malicious content triggered by Image File Execution Options debuggers.
**Investigative actions**
* Check whether the executing process is benign and if this was a desired behavior as part of its normal execution flow.
* Look at the debugged process and what it is executing to determine if it is malicious.
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