Windows Impair Defense Disable Defender Protocol Recognition
The following analytic detects modifications to the Windows registry that disable the Windows Defender protocol recognition feature. It leverages data from the Endpoint.Registry data model, specifically looking for…
Description
The following analytic detects modifications to the Windows registry that disable the Windows Defender protocol recognition feature. It leverages data from the Endpoint.Registry data model, specifically looking for changes to the "DisableProtocolRecognition" setting. This activity is significant because disabling protocol recognition can hinder Windows Defender's ability to detect and respond to malware or suspicious software. If confirmed malicious, this action could allow an attacker to bypass antivirus defenses, facilitating further malicious activities such as data exfiltration or system compromise.
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
- It is unusual to turn this feature off a Windows system since it is a default security control, although it is not rare for some policies to disable it. Although no false positives have been identified, use the provided filter macro to tune the search.
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 |
|---|---|
| github.com/undergroundwires/privacy.sexy | 22 |
| x.com/malmoeb/status/1742604217989415386?s=20 | 22 |
From the source
- At source
- Open at source
- Upstream identifier
- b2215bfb-6171-4137-af17-1a02fdd8d043
- Tagged by the source as
- Scattered Lapsus$ HuntersWindows Defense Evasion TacticsWindows Registry 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