Malicious Safe Mode Boot Configuration via bcdedit for Defense Evasion via Process Creation
- Product
- windows
- Category
- process_creation
- Author
- HuntRule
- Published
- 2026-05-01
- Updated
- 2026-08-28
ATT&CK techniques
Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact
What it detects
This rule detects bcdedit.exe forcing a minimal safe-mode boot, a technique the Embargo ransomware uses to restart the host into an environment where most security products do not run before encrypting files. Legitimate administrative use of this exact command is rare on endpoints. This indicates preparation for defense evasion and ransomware detonation.
Reporting behind it
Detection content is published as a reviewed draft. Tune thresholds and exclusions against your own telemetry before enabling this rule for alerting.
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Also included
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