Suspicious Windows Defender Exclusion Enumeration via reg query (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 reg query enumerating the Microsoft Defender exclusions registry path, reconnaissance the Silent Skimmer actor used to learn which folders evade scanning before staging payloads. Querying exclusion policy indicates an actor mapping defensive gaps to abuse.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1685 — drag to rearrange

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Suspicious Windows Defender Exclusion Enumeration via reg query (via process_creation)

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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