Malicious Windows Event Log Clearing via wevtutil (via process_creation)

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 wevtutil being used to clear Windows event logs. LockBit clears event logs during deployment to erase evidence of its activity and hinder incident response, so a log-clear command is a strong defense-evasion indicator.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1685.005 — drag to rearrange

Suspicious Event Log Clearing via Wevtutil (via process_creation)

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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)

Suspicious Windows Event Log Clearing via wevtutil on EC2 Host

Malicious Windows Event Log Clearing via wevtutil (via process_creation)

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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