Malicious Windows Defender Tampering via Set-MpPreference (via ps_script)

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 PowerShell Set-MpPreference usage that disables Microsoft Defender protections or adds broad exclusions. DragonForce operators run these cmdlets to blind endpoint protection before staging and encryption, clearing the way for tooling to execute undetected.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1685 — drag to rearrange

Suspicious Antivirus Uninstallation via msiexec (via process_creation)

Suspicious Defender Exclusion Added via Add-MpPreference (via process_creation)

Malicious Reboot to Safe Mode via bcdedit SafeBoot Configuration

Suspicious rundll32 Execution Without Command Line Arguments (via process_creation)

Malicious EDRKillShifter Defense Evasion Tool Execution Linked to RansomHub

Suspicious RDP Enablement via netsh Firewall Rule

Suspicious Kernel Driver Written to AppData Temp Linked to RansomHub EDR Killers

Suspicious Windows Defender Service Disabled via Registry (via registry_set)

Suspicious Windows Defender or Firewall Service Disabled via Registry

Malicious Windows Defender Tampering via Set-MpPreference (via ps_script)

Pivot detection · T1685 · 9 related

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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