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HighSigmaHQChirag Damani (KPMG India) +1

Windows Defender Disabled Via SystemSettingsAdminFlows.EXE

Detects the usage of SystemSettingsAdminFlows.exe to disable Windows Defender. SystemSettingsAdminFlows.exe is a legitimate Windows component used for administrative configuration tasks. However, attackers may abuse…

Description

Detects the usage of SystemSettingsAdminFlows.exe to disable Windows Defender. SystemSettingsAdminFlows.exe is a legitimate Windows component used for administrative configuration tasks. However, attackers may abuse it to disable Windows Defender as part of their attack chain, especially in the context of ransomware or other malware campaigns.

Detection logic

Detection requirements

Platform
ContainersESXiIaaSLinuxmacOSNetwork DevicesWindows

The rule states no platform. This is derived from the ATT&CK technique it maps to.

Log source product
windows
Log source category
process_creation

Known benign triggers

  • Legitimate turn off of Windows Defender by the technical users or administrators for troubleshooting or other purposes.

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