Malicious Windows Event Log Clearing via Wevtutil

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 use of wevtutil to clear Windows event logs which the REF0657 actors performed against the System and Security logs to destroy evidence of their activity. Clearing event logs is a deliberate anti-forensic action that rarely has a legitimate operational reason.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1685.005 — drag to rearrange

Malicious Security Event Log Disabled via wevtutil

Suspicious Event Log Clearing via Wevtutil (via process_creation)

Suspicious Mass Windows Event Log Clearing via PowerShell (via ps_script)

Malicious Event Log Clear Attempt - Wmi (via process_creation)

Malicious Event Log Clear Attempt - Command (via process_creation)

Malicious Event Log Cleared Using Diagnostics - Via PowerShell (via powershell)

Malicious Clearing of Windows Event Logs (via process_creation)

Suspicious Event Log Clearing via wevtutil During Ransomware Activity

Suspicious Event Log Clearing via Get-WinEvent ClearLog (Qilin)

Malicious Windows Event Log Clearing via Wevtutil

Pivot detection · T1685.005 · 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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