Malicious Windows Firewall Disable via Netsh

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 netsh disabling the Windows firewall, removing host network restrictions to ease lateral movement and remote access. This was observed during KawaLocker ransomware deployment together with RDP enablement. Turning off the firewall exposes services and undermines network segmentation defenses.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1686 — drag to rearrange

Suspicious Firewall Rule Allowing SSH via New-NetFirewallRule During Ransomware

Suspicious iptables Port Redirect Rule via GRIMBOLT

Suspicious Firewall Allow Rule for TightVNC Server via netsh (via process_creation)

Suspicious Firewall Rule Added to Open RDP Port 3389 via netsh

Suspicious VMware PCI Device Disabled via Devcon

Possible Firewall Rule Manipulation via netsh advfirewall by FishMonger

Suspicious netsh Firewall Rule Masquerading as SSTP HTTP

Suspicious Disabling of WinRM Service via sc config

Inbound C2 Firewall Rule Added via Netsh for TCP 5984

Malicious Windows Firewall Disable via Netsh

Pivot detection · T1686 · 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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