Windows Impair Defense Disable Realtime Signature Delivery
The following analytic detects modifications to the Windows registry that disable the Windows Defender real-time signature delivery feature. It leverages data from the Endpoint.Registry data model, specifically…
Description
The following analytic detects modifications to the Windows registry that disable the Windows Defender real-time signature delivery feature. It leverages data from the Endpoint.Registry data model, specifically monitoring changes to the registry path associated with Windows Defender signature updates. This activity is significant because disabling real-time signature delivery can prevent Windows Defender from receiving timely malware definitions, reducing its effectiveness. If confirmed malicious, this action could allow attackers to bypass malware detection, leading to potential system compromise and persistent threats.
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
- ffd99aea-542f-448e-b737-091c1b417274
- Tagged by the source as
- Windows 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