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MediumSplunk security contentTeoderick Contreras +1

Windows Impair Defense Override SmartScreen Prompt

The following analytic detects modifications to the Windows registry that override the Windows Defender SmartScreen prompt. It leverages data from the Endpoint.Registry data model, specifically monitoring changes to…

Description

The following analytic detects modifications to the Windows registry that override the Windows Defender SmartScreen prompt. It leverages data from the Endpoint.Registry data model, specifically monitoring changes to the "PreventSmartScreenPromptOverride" registry setting. This activity is significant because it indicates an attempt to disable the prevention of user overrides for SmartScreen prompts, potentially allowing users to bypass security warnings. If confirmed malicious, this could lead to users inadvertently executing or accessing harmful content, increasing the risk of security incidents or system compromises.

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.

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