MediumSplunk security content Raven Tait +1

Windows Downdate Registry Activity

Detects the setting of a pending.xml file associated with the Windows Downdate attack which forces a Windows downgrade to enable exploitation. Looks for uses of a pending.xml outside of typical locations.

Detection logic

Detection requirements

Platform: Linux macOS Windows
The rule states no platform. This is derived from the 2 ATT&CK techniques it maps to.
Log source category: sysmon_eventid_12 sysmon_eventid_13 sysmon_eventid_14

Known benign triggers

Legitimate system updates or rollback processes may create or modify pending.xml files in non-standard locations. Verify with IT change management to reduce false alerts.

References

Links the source published beside this detection. Reference is the link the source wrote, unmodified. Class is decided by this catalogue from the host and path, not stated by the source. Cited by counts published detections citing the same resource, including this one, and the sources beneath it count the repositories this catalogue ingests, which is not the same as independent research.
Reference	Class	Cited by
www.safebreach.com/blog/downgrade-attacks-using-windows-updates/	Unclassified	Only this detection cites it

Detection rules

Windows Downdate Registry Activity

Detection logic

Detection requirements

Known benign triggers

MITRE ATT&CK mappings

References

From the source

Licence

Authorship

Detection rules