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Windows Defender Exclusions Added via PowerShell
editWindows Defender Exclusions Added via PowerShelledit
Identifies modifications to the Windows Defender configuration settings using PowerShell to add exclusions at the folder directory or process level.
Rule type: eql
Rule indices:
- winlogbeat-*
- logs-endpoint.events.*
- logs-windows.*
Severity: medium
Risk score: 47
Runs every: 5m
Searches indices from: now-9m (Date Math format, see also Additional look-back time)
Maximum alerts per execution: 100
References:
Tags:
- Elastic
- Host
- Windows
- Threat Detection
- Defense Evasion
Version: 2
Rule authors:
- Elastic
Rule license: Elastic License v2
Investigation guideedit
## Triage and analysis Detections should be investigated to identify if the activity corresponds to legitimate activity used to put in exceptions for Windows Defender. As this rule detects post-exploitation process activity, investigations into this should be prioritized.
Rule queryedit
process where event.type == "start" and
(process.name : ("powershell.exe", "pwsh.exe") or process.pe.original_file_name : ("powershell.exe", "pwsh.exe")) and
process.args : ("*Add-MpPreference*-Exclusion*", "*Set-MpPreference*-Exclusion*")
Framework: MITRE ATT&CKTM
-
Tactic:
- Name: Defense Evasion
- ID: TA0005
- Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0005/
-
Technique:
- Name: Impair Defenses
- ID: T1562
- Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1562/
-
Sub-technique:
- Name: Indicator Blocking
- ID: T1562.006
- Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1562/006/
-
Sub-technique:
- Name: Disable or Modify Tools
- ID: T1562.001
- Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1562/001/
-
Tactic:
- Name: Execution
- ID: TA0002
- Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0002/
-
Technique:
- Name: Command and Scripting Interpreter
- ID: T1059
- Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1059/
-
Sub-technique:
- Name: PowerShell
- ID: T1059.001
- Reference URL: https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1059/001/