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

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 clearing Windows event logs by enumerating logs with Get-WinEvent and invoking ClearLog. The Qilin group wipes logs to destroy forensic evidence around encryption. Programmatic clearing of event logs is a hallmark anti-forensic action.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1685.005 — drag to rearrange

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Malicious Clearing of Windows Event Logs (via process_creation)

Suspicious Event Log Clearing via wevtutil During Ransomware Activity

Suspicious Windows Event Log Clearing via wevtutil on EC2 Host

Suspicious Browser History Wipe via RunDll32 ClearMyTracksByProcess

Suspicious Windows Event Log Clearing via Dire Wolf Ransomware (via process_creation)

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

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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