Excessive File Deletion In WinDefender Folder
The following analytic detects excessive file deletion events in the Windows Defender folder. It leverages Sysmon EventCodes 23 and 26 to identify processes deleting multiple files within this directory. This…
Description
The following analytic detects excessive file deletion events in the Windows Defender folder. It leverages Sysmon EventCodes 23 and 26 to identify processes deleting multiple files within this directory. This behavior is significant as it may indicate an attempt to corrupt or disable Windows Defender, a key security component. If confirmed malicious, this activity could allow an attacker to disable endpoint protection, facilitating further malicious actions without detection.
Detection logic
Detection requirements
- Platform
- ContainersESXiIaaSLinuxmacOSWindows
The rule states no platform. This is derived from the ATT&CK technique it maps to.
- Log source category
- sysmon_eventid_23sysmon_eventid_26
Known benign triggers
- Windows Defender AV updates may trigger this alert. Please adjust the filter macros to mitigate false positives.
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 |
|---|---|
| www.microsoft.com/security/blog/2022/01/15/destructive-malware-targeting-ukrainian-organizations/ | 27from 2 sources |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- b5baa09a-7a05-11ec-8da4-acde48001122
- Tagged by the source as
- BlackByte RansomwareData DestructionWhisperGateEndpointendpointSplunk 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
- Aug 26, 2026
- Version
- 1