WBAdmin Delete System Backups
The following analytic detects the execution of wbadmin.exe with flags that delete backup files, specifically targeting catalog or system state backups. It leverages data from Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)…
Description
The following analytic detects the execution of wbadmin.exe with flags that delete backup files, specifically targeting catalog or system state backups. It leverages data from Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) agents, focusing on process names and command-line arguments. This activity is significant because it is commonly used by ransomware to prevent recovery by deleting system backups. If confirmed malicious, this action could severely hinder recovery efforts, leading to prolonged downtime and potential data loss.
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
- Administrators may modify the boot configuration.
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 |
|---|---|
| attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1490/ | 2 |
| docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/wbadmin | Only this detection cites it |
| github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/388942adbd9641f4dfdcf079d7efe9a75ec0ac43/atomics/T1490/T1490.yaml#L108 | 7 |
| github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/master/atomics/T1490/T1490.md | 6from 2 sources |
| thedfirreport.com/2020/10/08/ryuks-return/ | 3from 2 sources |
| www.welivesecurity.com/2019/04/30/buhtrap-backdoor-ransomware-advertising-platform/ | Only this detection cites it |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- cd5aed7e-5cea-11eb-ae93-0242ac130002
- Tagged by the source as
- Chaos RansomwarePrestige RansomwareRansomwareRyuk RansomwareStorm-0501 RansomwareStorm-2460 CLFS Zero Day ExploitationEndpointendpointSplunk 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