Windows Impair Defense Disable Win Defender Scan On Update
The following analytic detects modifications to the Windows registry that disable the Windows Defender Scan On Update feature. It leverages data from the Endpoint.Registry datamodel, specifically looking for changes…
Description
The following analytic detects modifications to the Windows registry that disable the Windows Defender Scan On Update feature. It leverages data from the Endpoint.Registry datamodel, specifically looking for changes to the "DisableScanOnUpdate" registry setting with a value of "0x00000001". This activity is significant because disabling automatic scans can leave systems vulnerable to malware and other threats. If confirmed malicious, this action could allow attackers to bypass Windows Defender, facilitating further compromise and persistence within the environment.
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
- 0418e72f-e710-4867-b656-0688e1523e09
- 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