Windows Defender Exclusion Registry Entry
The following analytic detects modifications to the Windows Defender exclusion registry entries. It leverages endpoint registry data to identify changes in the registry path "*\\SOFTWARE\\Policies\\Microsoft\\Windows…
Description
The following analytic detects modifications to the Windows Defender exclusion registry entries. It leverages endpoint registry data to identify changes in the registry path "*\\SOFTWARE\\Policies\\Microsoft\\Windows Defender\\Exclusions\\*". This activity is significant because adversaries often modify these entries to bypass Windows Defender, allowing malicious code to execute without detection. If confirmed malicious, this behavior could enable attackers to evade antivirus defenses, maintain persistence, and execute further malicious activities undetected.
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 use 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 |
|---|---|
| app.any.run/tasks/cf1245de-06a7-4366-8209-8e3006f2bfe5/ | 3 |
| tccontre.blogspot.com/2020/01/remcos-rat-evading-windows-defender-av.html | 10 |
| 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
- 13395a44-4dd9-11ec-9df7-acde48001122
- Tagged by the source as
- AzorultNetSupport RMM Tool AbuseQakbotRemcosSalat StealerValleyRATWarzone RATWindows Defense Evasion TacticsXWormEndpointendpointSplunk 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