Windows Credentials from Password Stores Deletion
The following analytic detects the execution of the Windows OS tool cmdkey.exe with the /delete parameter. This detection leverages data from Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) agents, focusing on process…
Description
The following analytic detects the execution of the Windows OS tool cmdkey.exe with the /delete parameter. This detection leverages data from Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) agents, focusing on process execution logs and command-line arguments. The activity is significant because cmdkey.exe can be used by attackers to delete stored credentials, potentially leading to privilege escalation and persistence. If confirmed malicious, this behavior could allow attackers to remove stored user credentials, hindering incident response efforts and enabling further unauthorized access to the compromised system.
Detection logic
Detection requirements
- Platform
- IaaSLinuxmacOSWindows
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
- network administrator can use this tool for auditing process.
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 |
|---|---|
| malpedia.caad.fkie.fraunhofer.de/details/win.darkgate | 11 |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- 46d676aa-40c6-4fe6-b917-d23b621f0f89
- Tagged by the source as
- Compromised Windows HostDarkGate MalwareNetSupport RMM Tool 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
- Aug 26, 2026
- Version
- 1