Disable Windows Behavior Monitoring
The following analytic identifies modifications in the registry to disable Windows Defender's real-time behavior monitoring. It leverages data from the Endpoint.Registry data model, specifically monitoring changes to…
Description
The following analytic identifies modifications in the registry to disable Windows Defender's real-time behavior monitoring. It leverages data from the Endpoint.Registry data model, specifically monitoring changes to registry paths associated with Windows Defender settings. This activity is significant because disabling real-time protection is a common tactic used by malware such as RATs, bots, or Trojans to evade detection. If confirmed malicious, this action could allow an attacker to execute code, escalate privileges, or persist in the environment without being detected by antivirus software.
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
- sysmon_eventid_13
Known benign triggers
- admin or user may choose to disable this windows features.
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 |
|---|---|
| github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/388942adbd9641f4dfdcf079d7efe9a75ec0ac43/atomics/T1685/T1685.yaml#L1051 | 10 |
| tccontre.blogspot.com/2020/01/remcos-rat-evading-windows-defender-av.html | 10 |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- 79439cae-9200-11eb-a4d3-acde48001122
- Tagged by the source as
- AzorultBlack Basta RansomwareBlankGrabber StealerCactus RansomwareCISA AA23-347ANetSupport RMM Tool AbuseRansomwareRedLine StealerRevil RansomwareSalat StealerScattered Lapsus$ HuntersSolarWinds WHD RCE Post ExploitationStorm-0501 RansomwareWindows Defense Evasion TacticsWindows Registry AbuseEndpointendpointSplunk 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