Deleting Shadow Copies
The following analytic detects the deletion of shadow copies using the vssadmin.exe or wmic.exe utilities. It leverages data from Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) agents, focusing on process names and…
Description
The following analytic detects the deletion of shadow copies using the vssadmin.exe or wmic.exe utilities. It leverages data from Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) agents, focusing on process names and command-line arguments. This activity is significant because deleting shadow copies is a common tactic used by attackers to prevent recovery and hide their tracks. If confirmed malicious, this action could hinder incident response efforts and allow attackers to maintain persistence and cover their activities, making it crucial for security teams to investigate promptly.
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 category
- crowdstrike_processrollup2sysmon_eventid_1windows_event_log_security_4688
Known benign triggers
- vssadmin.exe and wmic.exe are standard applications shipped with modern versions of windows. They may be used by administrators to legitimately delete old backup copies, although this is typically rare.
MITRE ATT&CK mappings
0 exclusive techniques.This is coverage no other published rule has; it is not this rule's total technique count.
References
| Reference | Cited by |
|---|---|
| blogs.vmware.com/security/2022/10/lockbit-3-0-also-known-as-lockbit-black.html | 5 |
| github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/388942adbd9641f4dfdcf079d7efe9a75ec0ac43/atomics/T1490/T1490.yaml#L5 | 7 |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- b89919ed-ee5f-492c-b139-95dbb162039e
- Tagged by the source as
- Black Basta RansomwareCactus RansomwareChaos RansomwareCISA AA22-264AClop RansomwareCompromised Windows HostDarkGate MalwareLockBit RansomwareMedusa RansomwarePrestige RansomwareRansomwareRhysida RansomwareSamSam RansomwareStorm-2460 CLFS Zero Day ExploitationTermite RansomwareVanHelsing RansomwareVoid ManticoreWindows Log ManipulationEndpointendpointSplunk CloudSplunk EnterpriseSplunk Enterprise Securityendpoint
Licence
- Published under
- Apache License 2.0Read the licence
- Attribution
- Required
- Obtained under
- Apache-2.0Read the origin licence
Authorship
- Written by
- Published
- Oct 13, 2026
- Version
- 2